Former Matildas greats are at odds over the selection of teenager Mary Fowler in the squad for the 2019 Women's World Cup, with concerns the young forward will not be mentally prepared for making the leap from local parks to the global stage.
The 16-year-old was selected by coach Ante Milicic for the Matildas squad for the tournament despite having never played professional club football. The prodigal talent was plucked from the local state league to the Matildas last year and will be on the plane to France for the World Cup. However, former Australian stalwart Cheryl Salisbury is unsure whether Fowler is ready to make the leap to the international stage just yet.
Bolter: Mary Fowler has been picked in Australia's World Cup squad..Credit:PA
"It's very rare that someone can step-up straight into a national team and be ready to play. It's hard enough for a senior player in their mid 20s who gets a call-up for the first time," Salisbury said.
The former defender holds the record for most international appearances for Australia and says from her experience, young players can struggle making an immediate jump from youth teams to senior national teams without sufficient experience at club level.
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"It's probably unusual in the fact that she doesn't have a great deal of experience at international level or senior teams. It's a massive jump from youth teams and young Matildas to playing at a World Cup against quality opposition ranked in the top 10," Salisbury said. "It's a situation where a young kid like that will sink or swim. I hope if she goes in that she swims. She's got all the ability but is she mentally ready to step out on the field against players who've played 100 caps for their country?"
While Salisbury has her concerns over Fowler's inclusion in the World Cup squad, another former Matilda believes the teenager will be a major asset for Milicic in France. Almost completely unknown to rivals, Fowler presents an unpredictable attackingRead More – Source
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