Wilson named in CommBank Junior Matildas squad for AFF U18 Women’s Championship 2022

Grace Wilson

Head Coach Rae Dower has finalised her CommBank Junior Matildas squad to compete at the AFF U18 Women’s Championship 2022 in Palembang, Indonesia.

Australia will take 28-players to face Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines in Group B of the tournament commencing on 22 July 2022.

The selection of the final squad for this tournament follows four camps over the past six months, involving more than sixty players, with a further six players promoted up and in contention for selection in the CommBank Young Matildas squad for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2022™.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to travel to Indonesia to participate in the AFF U18 Women’s Championship, which will be the CommBank Junior Matildas’ first competitive matches since September 2019,” Dower said. 

This tournament will be the CommBank Junior Matildas’ first international activity since their involvement in the 2019 AFC U16 Women’s Championship where they finished fourth in the tournament three years ago. It also marks the final Australian Women’s National Team to re-commence international action. 

“As a coaching unit, we’re delighted with the depth of talent within this age group. The technical quality and game awareness of the players was of a very high standard, and they’ve maintained that level when back with their respective clubs, which presented a welcomed headache when selecting the final squad.”

Football Australia’s commitment to the national youth teams has seen the appointment of additional staff to the CommBank Junior Matildas’ support and technical ranks over recent months, with this AFF tournament being their first overseas tournament as members of the National Teams Program.

“This AFF U18 Women’s Championship gives all but four players their first experience in travelling overseas, which in itself is a great life lesson. Combining that with being in a full-time football environment, with the heat and humidity of Indonesia, it will provide the players with invaluable insight into what to expect in the future when competing in tournaments and qualifying through the AFC pathways,” Dower explained.

“I would like to acknowledge the collaboration between Football Australia and the coaching and support staff at both Member Federations and clubs for their tireless work in preparing this age group for Australian honours, and I have no doubt this group of footballers will do everyone proud in Indonesia,” Rae Dower concluded.

COMMBANK JUNIOR MATILDAS SQUAD | AFF U18 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2022

22 JULY – 4 AUGUST 2022

NamePositionClub / Member Federation
Ella ABDUL MASSIHDefenderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Isabella ACCARDODefenderFootball Victoria NTC / Football Victoria
Josie ALLANForwardNewcastle Jets / Northern NSW Football
Tegan BERTOLISSIODefenderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Zara BOARDGoalkeeperSubiaco AFC / Football West
India BREIERForwardNSW Institute / Football NSW
Daisy BROWNForwardFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Georgia CASSIDYMidfielderHyundai NTC / Football West
Alana CORTELLINOForwardFootball Victoria NTC / Football Victoria
Leah DE OLIVEIRAForwardNSW Institute / Football NSW
Jonti FISHERMidfielderFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Tahlia FRANCOGoalkeeperNSW Institute / Football NSW
Charlie GIBSONDefenderFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Erin GORDONDefenderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Aimee HALLGoalkeeperNSW Institute / Football NSW
Shay HOLLMANMidfielderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Zoe KARIPIDISDefenderNewcastle Jets / Northern NSW Football
Maya LOBOMidfielderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Megan MIFSUDDefenderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Silver Bell MORRISDefenderFootball Victoria NTC / Football Victoria
Ella O’GRADYForwardFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Avaani PRAKASHMidfielderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Sienna SAVESKAForwardNSW Institute / Football NSW
Mary STANIC-FLOODYMidfielderNSW Institute / Football NSW
Peta TRIMISForwardNSW Institute / Football NSW
Chloe WALANDOUWDefenderNewcastle Jets / Northern NSW Football
Grace WILSONGoalkeeperSA NTC / Football South Australia
Adelaide WYRZYNSKIForwardNSW Institute / Football NSW

Shadow Players

NamePositionClub / Member Federation
Lily BARBERMidfielderSA NTC / Football South Australia
Margaret BARRETTForwardFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Jasmine BLACKGoalkeeperNSW Institute / Football NSW
Aleeah DAVERNMidfielderFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Ellen GETTForwardFootball Queensland-QAS / Football Queensland
Claire SCARPINForwardSA NTC / Football South Australia
Hayley WELLINGTONDefenderSA NTC / Football South Australia

AFF U18 Women’s Championship 2022 – Match Schedule (Australia)

Australia U18 v Philippines U18
Date: Monday, 25 July 2022
Venue: Athletic Field, Palembang, Indonesia
Kick-off: 3.30pm (local); 6.30pm AEST

Malaysia U18 v Australia U18
Date: Wednesday, 27 July 2022
Venue: Athletic Field, Palembang, Indonesia
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm AEST

Australia U18 v Myanmar U18
Date: Friday, 29 July 2022
Venue: Athletic Field, Palembang, Indonesia
Kick-off: 3.30pm (local); 6.30pm AEST

Semi-Finals: Tuesday, 2 August 2022
Finals: Thursday, 4 August 2022