CommBank Matildas forward Sam Kerr said that the team helped her find her groove again as she walked back onto the pitch for the first time in 725 days.
She recalled her emotional words pregame as she got ready to line up for the national anthem ahead of Australia’s 2-1 victory over Wales on Saturday.
“I said that today's a day where we need to lift each other up, and help each other,” she recalled post-game.
“Normally, when I'm in this team, I've been playing a lot, and I've been feeling really confident. Coming off an injury, I needed the girls to lift me up and give me a bit of energy.
“So I just said that we all needed to get behind each other. I made myself a little bit vulnerable, because I think people are used to me being so confident and fit. But today was new for me, so I needed a little bit extra.”
She said that it felt great to be back out there.
“It was good to just walk out with the girls and have a bit of fun and get back out there,” she said.
“Honestly, I was trying not to think too much, trying to just enjoy myself. It was really good to be out there, back singing the national anthem and just being back with the girls.
“When you're walking out of the tunnel with the girls singing the national anthem, I think those are the moments where you look around and you feel grateful and a little bit emotional that you're back.
“I was like - wow, I can't believe this. It’s weird. I'm used to sitting on the couch and watching the girls! Before the game, those moments were special. But once I was in the game, I just felt like I'd been there forever.”
Kerr was involved in Australia’s first goal, running across the face of the goal as Courtney Nevin’s free kick snuck in the front post.
She confirmed she did not get a touch and revealed what she told her teammate after she scored her first international goal.
“I did not touch it,” she smiled.
“I made the run across. I tried to touch it! I think when a good cross goes in, like that cross shot - whatever you want to call it – it was a good set piece, good run across. I didn't touch it. It was Nevin’s goal.
“After the goal, I said, get a little bit more excited! A goal for your national team! I think she thought I touched it, but I wanted to let her know straight away that I didn't.”
She said that the result was a big lift for the whole group.
“ I think we needed it,” she said.
“Every game you play, you play to win, of course. It was disappointing to concede and give as many opportunities to them as we did. All in all, to come here - we haven't played together in a while. There have been injuries, and there's been new players in and out. I think it's a good result for us, and a win is a win at the end of the day.”
This window is part of preparations for next year’s home AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Kerr said that the match against Wales was perfect for preparations.
“Because they sat in a lowish block, it helps us,” she explained.
“That's what you expect to play, especially the group stages in the Asian Cup. They were a good, tough team, so it's always good preparation. But I think the way they played suited the Asian style.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH DETAILS
England v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025 / Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Kick-off: 7:00pm BST (Local) / 6:00am AEDT
Venue: Pride Park Stadium, Derby, England
Broadcast: Paramount+
Buy Tickets