CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro said that the upcoming November window is a chance to stablise the squad as they continue to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ in March.
He was speaking to media after the 24-player squad was announced for upcoming games against New Zealand in Gosford and Adelaide.
“The most important thing is that we've been able to stabilise the squad, and get the bulk of the squad back in,” he said.
“There’s still a few decisions to make, and it gives me a good opportunity to look at a couple of areas that need to be positive for the squad balance. It’s great to be back home, and we're looking forward to two games against New Zealand.”
He elaborated that the door was still open for exceptional performances on the domestic stage and club football elsewhere.
“If someone's performing in the A-League, and I feel there’s a squad balance, and they have the ability to come in and impact the squad, they're definitely available,” he said.
“I think we're close to getting the message across regarding the football that we want to play, creating the culture and the balance in the group. But I still want to leave some doors open to make sure that we don't miss anything.
“A big part of that is just going to A-League games and having a look, and making sure that everyone's on board going forward.”
He praised the experience in the squad, with the return of Tameka Yallop alongside mainstays in the group such as Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond.
“We've got a lot of high-quality experience,” he said.
“They're all playing in good leagues, at high levels, and that's the most important thing. To have players that are constantly tested at the high levels, and playing at the highest levels is really important leading into major tournaments.”
With regular football at club level comes constant communication between Montemurro and club staff as things like fitness and form are managed.
With ample experience in the day-to-day rigours of club football, Montemurro gave an insight into that communication and how it is used to get the best out of national team players.
“You have to keep that constant communication open with the clubs,” he said.
“I speak with Renee [Slegers] at Arsenal quite a lot, and Sonia [Bompastor] at Chelsea, as two examples. We are in constant contact. They give us an idea of what they're doing and what their game plan is going forward into each game - and then, obviously the game sometimes dictates what happens.
“We try to control what we can control in terms of when the players come in, and knowing what they're going out to. There's a little bit of a break [in the WSL] in December, which is good. This camp, we get a fair few of them coming in quite early, because a lot of them finish in the Champions League on Wednesday and Thursday night.
“They’re just the challenges that we have to deal with. We’ll do what's best for the for the player in the team.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH DETAILS
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: polytec Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Kick-off: 8pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets