‘The best thing that could happen’: Charli grants Matildas’ defence some depth

When Tony Gustavsson took over coaching the Matildas in 2020, he probably wished he could clone then 19-year-old defender Ellie Carpenter.

Heading into the Matildas 2019 World Cup campaign in France, one of the main problems for the Australian team was an over-reliance on the key four at the back – Clare Polkinghorne, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley and Carpenter.

A key strategy of Gustavsson’s to fix this was to build up a host of young players, including exposing them to tough competitors in friendlies and overseas tournaments.

While Gustavsson didn’t find a carbon copy of the young Carpenter, he did find Charli Grant.

The 21-year-old Grant is one of three defenders named in Australia’s 23-player squad who will be playing in their first World Cup (the other two are Courtney Nevin and Clare Hunt).

Gustavsson has developed a problem – a good one to have – in that he now has a haul of players who can fill roles. In his early days, said Carpenter, he did not have such an issue picking squads.

“Definitely in the back line, you look now, we have so much strength, we have a lot of options, people can play in lots of different positions,” said Carpenter.

“We’re in a good time for the back line. I feel very secure in our defenders that have been named. And yeah, I think it’s a great, great squad with great depth definitely in the back line.”

Grant has been regular in the Matildas’ starting line-up over the past year to replace Carpenter, who ruptured her ACL in Lyon’s 3-1 win in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in May 2022.

“It was definitely an amazing experience to play that position while she was out. Of course, it was unfortunate that it came at her expense,” said Grant.

“But to now be sharing that role... It’s really great for my development to watch how she plays and to learn off of her and, then if I ever get the opportunity to play there, it’s just putting my best foot forward.”

Carpenter said previously the team never really had “anyone knocking on anyone’s positions”.

They do now.

“It’s the best thing that could happen. You know, we want three or four or five people that are knocking on my position – or not my position, but you know, the right-back position,” said Carpenter.

“It’s great. You just see how many people are coming through and improving and challenging themselves overseas and coming back better players, and that’s what we want.”

Carpenter is now fit and firing, but Grant will no doubt be on show this World Cup as one of the quickly developing new core members of the group.

Against England in a friendly this year, Grant scored and helped to break the Lionesses’ 30-game winning streak.

She said the goal made her feel truly part of the team – she still gets emotional thinking about it – while Carpenter has helped her stay true to herself in the high-pressure environment of international soccer.

“On the pitch, she just backs herself and everything she does and whether she makes a mistake or not, she goes again and doesn’t lose that confidence,” said Grant.

“So, I really try and put that into my game and have that confidence in pushing myself and not giving up. And then off the pitch, she’s just so genuine and down to earth that I think it just makes me feel comfortable to do the same.”

Similar to Carpenter, Grant made the move to Europe after getting international offers that followed her chance to play for the national team.

Grant headed to Sweden, where she joined FC Rosengard and is now on loan with Vittsjo GIK. This was after coming through the A-Leagues ranks with Adelaide United.

“It’s definitely been a lot more technical here [in Sweden]. I think that’s really helped improve my game to be more technical and it’s just really nice to play a different style,” said Grant.

“The A-League offers a fast-paced transition to the game and coming here to Sweden has really helped me improve my technical side of the game because they’re a bit more possession-based.”

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