Emotional McCormick ‘grateful’ for Westfield Matildas opportunity

Jenna McCormick was overwhelmed with emotion after making her Westfield Matildas debut among ‘some of the best of the best.’

Captain Sam Kerr fired a double, taking her international tally to 45 goals in 57 caps, as Australia downed Chile 2-1 at a jam-packed Bankwest Stadium crowd of 20,029 in Sydney.

The 25-year-old has made 76 Westfield W-League appearances over the past seven seasons, while splitting her time playing Australian rules football for the Adelaide Crows in the AFLW.

After committing to football in order to chase her ambition of representing the Westfield Matildas at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, McCormick paid tribute to her teammates for believing in her.

“I felt really good out there, I felt really comfortable,” said McCormick.

“It’s really overwhelming, I felt a lot of emotions from the beginning of the day until now, I’m still feeling it.

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“I still can’t really put it into words but I’m just so grateful to be able to have this opportunity.

“Especially to be able to share it with some really, really quality girls.” 

“To be able to share the field with some of the best of the best and for them to be able to believe in me, it’s a very, very special thing for me.

“It’s something that I really don’t take for granted and I really wanted to be able to wear this jersey, and this crest, and sing the national anthem. I just hope I did everyone proud.”

Ellie Carpenter said: “I’ve really proud of the girls, especially shout out to Jen [McCormick] for her first cap. I thought she did great in the backline.”

The South Australian, McCormick, may get the chance for another special moment if she is selected to make her second Westfield Matildas appearance in front of her hometown supporters at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday, 12 November.

After a rollercoaster day of new experiences in the Harbour City, McCormick believes she will be more relaxed if she gets an opportunity to run out in Green and Gold once again in the City of Churches.

“The game in Adelaide is going to be really exciting,” she added.

“I think I’ll be able to keep a lid on it a little bit more and know what to expect next time.

“I’m really looking forward to hopefully playing again and being able to put this jersey on again.”

McCormick will play her second campaign for Brisbane Roar in the Westfield W-League starting on Thursday, 14 November.

But in her seven-year sports career there’s little than can compare to the atmosphere she experienced in front of a record-breaking crowd of more than 20,000 supporters in Parramatta.

“The crowd was amazing,” McCormick said. 

“The noise that they made throughout the game was just spine-tingling. 

“It really made it a special day for me, a special day for the rest of the girls out here. 

“It was good to get a result for everyone as well so thank you very much to everyone for coming out. Let’s do it again in Adelaide!”