Katrina Gorry stated her case for Matildas selection (Source: TWG) Katrina Gorry stated her case for Matildas selection (Source: TWG)

For every Kyah Simon, Elise Kellond-Knight or Lisa De Vanna there are dozens of other players looking to achieve the same ultimate goal in football; representing this country on the world stage.

One would think that the incoming Westfield Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus would have the aforementioned players penned in at the selection table – put simply, a ‘no brainer’.

Sure, they may just be some of the more recent freakishly talented individuals to have pulled on the green and gold but their status in the team goes beyond that; hard working players determined to get the best out of themselves.

But now turn your attention to the others on the fringe of earning a call up, whom arguably put in just the same amount of effort and work into their game but come up just short of making that final squad. Good players that if given the chance could turn into excellent players.

Opportunity knocks in different ways. Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Brianna Davey got the nod over Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri two seasons ago at Melbourne Victory as the preferred option in a team determined to develop its young squad.

Had this not taken course, Davey may not have had the exposure to compete at the highest level in this country week in and week out at such a young age. Fast forward to 2012 and due to a litany of keeper injuries Davey found herself blocking shots from a star studded United States outfit fresh from winning Olympic gold.

Safe to say Davey would not have dreamt of how fast or how far she has progressed but she grabbed the opportunity with both hands and hasn’t looked back since.

Fellow Victory teammate Stephanie Catley earned her first cap following her first call up to the national squad camp. Since then, it is an amazing accomplishment and testament to her hard work and development that she has played every minute when selected.

As often the case, Catley suited up for the Matildas following a horror run of injuries to some key Matildas but she has made it hard for some of them to claim their spot back.

Trumping Catlin Foord for Young Player of 2012 was no mean feat. Leaving aside teenage sensations for a moment (but by no means a veteran of the game) Danielle Brogan added to her 2009 inaugural Matildas cap just last year on the back of a strong W-League season as captain of her beloved Sky Blues. Again, injuries to first select center backs may have paved the way for Brogan but the reality is she performed in the national camps.

Three years out of the side is a long time in any reckoning and she is a prime example of hard work paying off. The latest W-League season highlighted the plethora of players that have the potential to make their mark in national team colours in the not too distant future. Not surprisingly, many of them have had a taste of elite completion on the world stage in the form of the Young Matildas.

The pathway for young women to become top class footballers in this country is becoming clearer and proves great motivation for these athletes to continue to strive for their best.

Some may still fall short of their lifelong ambitions to actually becoming a Matilda for some reason or another, but they must remember that the triumph was in their efforts to be their best whilst competing against the best.

So what of those players chasing the tales of Simon, Kellond-Knight or De Vanna? Well see below my version of a ‘Matildas A’ side – a combination of untried or irregularly capped players. It is a team worth watching, even if on the cusp.

GK – Mackenzie Arnold

DEF – Brooke Spence, Caitlin Cooper, Emma Checker, Nicole Sykes

MID – Ashley Brown, Teresa Polias, Alanna Kennedy, Katrina Gorry

FWD – Michelle Heyman, Emily Gielnik