In a huge blow for Australia, star Matildas prodigy Mary Fowler has been sensationally ruled out of the side’s clash with Nigeria after sustaining a concussion in training.
With superstar striker Sam Kerr still on the sidelines, it leaves the Matildas with a huge hole up front – and may force Tony Gustavsson to divert from his favoured 4-4-2 formation.
The Manchester City forward suffered what Football Australia termed a ‘mild concussion’, with veteran Aivi Luik also ruled out for the same reason after separate incidents at training on Tuesday.
The pair have both fully recovered and will now enter into Football Australia’s return to play protocol, that protects players who have head knocks.
Football Australia had insisted the 20-year-old was okay after training in Brisbane ahead of Thursday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium, but she has since been ruled out – though will likely return for the last group game against reigning Olympic champions, Canada.
Mary Fowler will not play for Australia in the side’s clash against Nigeria after suffering a mild concussion at training on Tuesday
Injured skipper Sam Kerr has been forced to watch training from the sidelines as she recovers from a calf injury
Kerr was seen ditching the bandage around her calf as she watched the Matildas train in Brisbane on Wednesday
Kerr ditched the bandage around her injured calf on Wednesday, but it is still believed she is next to no chance of featuring in any of the group games, likewise veteran striker Kyah Simon, as she continues to rehab from her ACL reconstruction.
The withdrawal prodigiously-talented Fowler, who has long been dubbed as Kerr’s heir apparent, means Arsenal gun Caitlin Foord will be forced to shoulder even more of the load in attack.
While she has scored seven of Australia’s last 28 goals, Foord tends to operate better as no. 9, instead of a focal point in attack like a traditional no.10.
It means super-sub and cult hero Alex Chidiac might come in to play a role on the wing, with the speedy Cortnee Vine or Hayley Raso asked to play closer to goal.
Though Gustavsson does highly treasure Chidiac as an impact player, it must be said.
Veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop, who has been struggling with injury and game-time of late, may also have to play a role, while Everton youngster Clare Wheeler has football smarts beyond her 25 years.
Emily Van Egmond is also another from the bench with the ability to play further up than her usual central midfield spot.
Matildas legend Amy Chapman said for a position that was once Australia’s greatest areas of depth, there are now some concerns.
Mary Fowler smiles at training before copping a head knock that has since ruled her out of the England game
Caitlin Foord will now have to shoulder even more of the load for Australia in attack, with question marks surrounding who may partner her or whether Gustavsson changes his formation
‘There’s obviously suspicions off the back of training yesterday,’ she told Optus Sport, where she is a presenter.
‘It sounds like there’s been two separate incidences in training. I think there was a lot of crosses, it was not a head collision with each other but certainly worrying signs now that three attacking options are no longer available for Tony with Sam [Kerr], Kyah [Simon] and now Mary Fowler all out.
‘So somewhere we’ve traditionally had a lot of depth we’re very light on.’
Social media lit up with the news Fowler was ruled out as nervous Aussie fans began what may be a 36 hour fingernail chewing routine.
Many were aghast at what had been happening at training that led to Fowler and Luik being ruled out, as well as Kerr’s calf injury she sustained in the lead-up to the opener.
‘What’s going on at training for players to get concussion? Kerr out and now 2 more from training,’ one fan wrote, with another saying: ‘How many injuries do you sustain as a result of training???? What are you doing wrong?’
‘Seriously Matildas? Three in a week? Where’s the risk mitigation in training? This is elite sport, a home World Cup. It seems particularly reckless and has jeopardised the Australian campaign more than having three potentially under-trained players taking to the field,’ commented one frustrated fan.
‘Concussions during TRAINING?! How is that possible? First Kerr, now this… What are they doing – Cage fighting? Get your act together Australia!’ fumed another irate supporter.
‘Something isn’t right… Either a curse, someone sabotaging the team at training, or these players aren’t being prepared properly. This many players unavailable a week into the Matildas biggest tournament ever is just f***eed,’ said a disappointed Mary Fowler fan.
Cult hero Alex Chidiac may be in line for a start on Thursday with the news Fowler will miss the clash
Though the many, many Chidiac fans assured fellow supporters that the cult hero would ensure the job gets done.
‘Massive shame for both but I don’t think it changes how the Matildas set up against Nigeria,’ said top pundit Christian Marchetti,
‘Chidiac will likely come in for Fowler as the 10. Unless Gustavsson feels a change up is required for a Nigeria side he has reiterated has a different tactical profile from Ireland.’
‘Ouch, huge blow. Surely this opens up the door for Alex Chidiac to come into the starting XI. Can play as a ten or deeper, with the option to move Kyra Cooney-Cross further forward,’ wrote journalist Nick D’Urbano.
StatsPerform might have a few Aussie fans alarmed, however, with the history the side will have to overcome without their two superstars Fowler and Kerr.
‘The Matildas have played 60 internationals since Mary Fowler debuted in 2018 but in only two of those games have they been without both Fowler and Sam Kerr on the day; a 7-0 defeat to Spain and a 1-all draw with Portugal in June 2022,’ OptaJason posted on his Twitter page.
