Expertly handled Sam Kerr diffusion makes Matildas a non-headline worth watching

In the grand scheme of the life and times of the Matildas, what a non-week this was.

If a “non-week” in the very week that Sam Kerr returns from an intensely documented 725-day international absence feels like an anomaly, you are not alone.

But the build-up to Australia’s friendly against Wales, and the texture of the 2-1 win itself, really was more notable for what it wasn’t rather than what it was.

It was the week of the non-question, when Football Australia advised the media that Kerr “will not be taking questions around the court case”.

On Friday, Australian media respectfully observed the prohibition and asked just about everything over Zoom except for February’s high-profile trial in London, where she was unanimously found not guilty of racially abusing a UK police officer, and stated she wanted to put “challenging period behind me”.

The topic was even avoided later that same day when, during the official pre-match press conference in Cardiff, Kerr and a journalist on the ground artfully danced around the subject.

Kerr knew what the journalist meant when she asked about her “big 12 months, both away from the injury [and] other issues that have been in the media”, and then queried if this was the “toughest year personally and professionally, given you’ve had stuff on and off the field?”

And it is probably safe to say the journalist knew what Kerr meant when she answered that “when you’re injured it’s always tough” but it had been “amazing” to become a new mother.

This was also a week of the non-answer, in that we are all still in the dark about whether Kerr will reclaim her incumbent captaincy at the centre of a debate so morally charged it almost belongs in the black-and-white prism of social media righteousness.

Coach Joe Montemurro said he was going to discuss the issue with the incumbent – and, presumably, long-time acting skipper Steph Catley – closer to the match. But the match came and went in the early hours of Sunday morning, and all we know is that Kerr believes herself a natural leader and would like it back, and Montemurro considers her “a friend”.

Part of this deftly cryptic approach was the appointment of the non-captain in Hayley Raso, who wore the armband on the night she celebrated her 100th cap in trademark relentless form (she also captained the team in July against Panama), even though Kerr was also in the starting line-up.

And though Kerr’s comeback lasted an encouraging 60 minutes, it was the 32-year-old’s non-touch that proved a pivotal moment. It came from Courtney Nevin’s first-half free kick. Kerr was in the box and seemingly poised for a tap-in, except that her boot failed to connect.

The ball, however, knew where it was going, and bounced in for the Matildas’ opener. Kerr pointed to Nevin to let her Sweden-based teammate know the goal was hers – the 23-year-old’s first international goal in her 38th appearance.

And in that sense, this week was about the non-stars of the team, who did not make the headlines but collectively offered encouraging signs that this integration of old and new talent could become something very good in time for the fast-approaching Asian Cup.

Nevin, as left-back, was willing to get forward and take risks and is convincing with the dead ball. Clare Wheeler is becoming the key to the midfield. Wini Heatley is positioning herself as a central defensive starter, and Kaitlyn Torpey is learning fast.

Then there was the return of Katrina Gorry, who almost scored a long-range goal in her first appearance since February, and Cortnee Vine, who came off the bench for a first Matildas appearance since last year’s Olympics.

Then there is Amy Sayer and Holly McNamara – and, of course, the irrepressible Caitlin Foord, whose 85th-minute winner also highlighted how just how damaging her provider, Arsenal teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross, can be if given more minutes at club level.

Of course, the performance was a long way from perfect. And it came against a No.32-ranked nation who farewelled the retiring Jess Fishlock in style but also recently lost 6-1 to European champions England – whom the Matildas will play next on Wednesday morning. But it was also one of those non-games that had some hallmarks of something growing.

Into what is unclear, and world No.4 England – Australia’s 2023 World Cup semi-final vanquishers – promise to provide a more realistic measure of where the team that are at three games out from March’s Asian Cup.

But if the Montemurro project works, it will not be only because Kerr has returned. And that was obvious despite a week of expertly handled diffusion, and from Montemurro’s answer when asked about his ideal attributes of a captain.

“I’ve never been a big one for leadership groups or the big thing of one person being the standout person,” he said. “The best teams I’ve coached have had many, many people that stand out in certain scenarios. I think if you have one person who stands out it can divide the group. So I’m a big one for everyone contributing and giving their little bit of leadership they can give.”

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