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After months of speculation, Joe Montemurro has officially stepped into the role of CommBank Matildas head coach — and his first squad selection gives a clear indication of what’s to come.
With four friendlies scheduled across Perth and Bunbury against Slovenia and Panama, Montemurro’s 33-player squad is equal parts experimental and strategic. It looks firmly to the future but still respects the core of Australia’s recent success.
Montemurro’s coaching CV stands unmatched in Australian football. He’s won titles at Melbourne City, Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon. Known for his tactical identity, culture-building and strong player relationships, Montemurro arrives with high expectations.
His appointment brings cautious optimism — not because of his ability, but because of the scale of the task. The Matildas are not a dominant European club with a deep bench. They’re a team balancing stars with the need to regenerate. In a crowded international calendar, Montemurro now has just four FIFA windows to prepare for the 2026 Asian Cup.
“This window is about setting the tone,” Montemurro said. “We’re laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive.”
He has made the most of the extended international window by casting a wide net, selecting 14 A-League Women players and 16 players with fewer than 10 caps. Some players will feature only in the Slovenia series, while others will play exclusively in the Panama fixtures. The split allows for smart player management and the chance to test new combinations.
A new generation steps in
Among the standout inclusions are three first-time call-ups: Grace Kuilamu (Brisbane Roar), Adriana Taranto (Western United) and Alexia Apostolakis (Melbourne City). All three have impressed at club level and represent the next wave of Australian talent.
Also returning to the squad are players many fans have wanted back. Alex Chidiac — the reigning Julie Dolan Medallist — returns after being mostly overlooked by the previous regime. Emily Gielnik is fit again. Chloe Berryhill (née Logarzo) rejoins the team after a concussion cut her last appearance short.
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Jacynta Galabadaarachchi also returns for the first time since 2022. Her selection is particularly notable — she had previously pledged her international future to Argentina. This suggests a renewed commitment to the Matildas and a fresh opportunity under Montemurro.
Sharn Freier is another welcome return. The winger is back from a long-term injury and is set to join Wolfsburg in the upcoming season.
“We wanted to use this window not just to prepare for the matches,” Montemurro said, “but to really explore the talent that’s coming through. It’s a rare opportunity to work with a broadened squad, give players their first or renewed taste of the environment and assess where we are as a group.”
Rested, missing and unlucky
Some big names are missing — but it’s deliberate. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry are all on personal leave. It’s a sensible decision. Each has had an intense schedule and played a central role in recent Matildas campaigns. A break now could pay off when the Asian Cup comes around in March.
Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr remain out with injury. Cortnee Vine continues her extended leave. A leg injury sidelined Tameka Yallop. Kahli Johnson, who showed promise in her debut series, misses out with a thigh strain.
Two players who can consider themselves unlucky are Izzy Gomez and Leticia McKenna. Gomez impressed against Argentina but didn’t make the squad this time, with no injury reported. McKenna delivered a strong domestic season, and many expected her to earn a call-up.
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Looking ahead
Montemurro has been clear that this camp isn’t just about winning — it’s about building. With a home Asian Cup, a World Cup in Brazil and the LA Olympics ahead, the next few years are crucial.
“This camp is really an identification process,” he said. “It’s a process for the players to understand where we’re heading. It’s really, really important that we give every player an opportunity.”
The squad still features key leaders like Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond. They’re joined by rising talents including Holly McNamara, Bryleeh Henry and Jamilla Rankin. It’s a mix of experience and experimentation — exactly what this team needs.
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The Matildas won’t face judgment based on this window alone. But fans and critics will judge Montemurro. After a 10-month delay in replacing Tony Gustavsson, expectations are high. Whether this group delivers a trophy or not, it already shows a willingness to evolve.
And that’s exactly what Australian football needs right now.
