Mary Fowler: "Balance, for me, is important"

CommBank Matildas forward Mary Fowler spoke to Football Australia media as the team arrived in San Antonio, Texas to continue preparations for their game against Mexico and the upcoming Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024.

After quipping that the sunshine at their previous training location in Florida had been a welcome change from her home in Manchester, the 21-year-old spoke about their opponents on Wednesday (AEST).

“I think it’ll be a good game,” she said. “Mexico’s a good opponent, one that you can’t underestimate. Looking at their recent games, they’ve performed really well and had some good results against top teams. It’ll be a good test for us to see where we’re at with preparations.”

For Fowler, despite Paris 2024 being on the horizon, training remains the same as it always is – preparation for the bigger task ahead.

“I’m someone that is very journey orientated rather than just fixated on one moment,” she explained. “I think it’s just made me more excited to turn up each day to sessions and make sure that I am really switched on from the get go because I’m just really excited for the chance to go to the Olympics again.”

The forward came into the camp on the back of superb form for Manchester City, with four goal contributions in her last three WSL games.

She said that her recent run of game time and form – a run that has helped City to the top of the league table – has been “really good.”

“When you’re playing more, that is going to boost your mood a lot more, because that’s what you want to be doing for your team – helping them out,” she reflected. “It’s been really nice for me to do.”

“I’m someone that really enjoys doing things with people around me that I care about. So to be able to play [on the right side of attack] alongside one of my best friends [Dutch international and City right-back Kerstin Casparij], it’s been really enjoyable for me.”

Despite her phenomenal CommBank Matildas form, until recently, Fowler had been struggling for minutes on the pitch for City. She explained that making each training session important, as well as finding equilibrium outside of football, was what helped keep her sharp for international duty during that time.

“I’m someone that never fully wants to be consumed by just football,” she explained. “I do get very excited about life after football as well, and what I want to do in that time. I see myself as more than one thing, and needing to be defined by what I do.

“That balance for me is important. Having time away off the field helps me to be at my best when I’m on the field. So that’s why I like being able to see the full picture. It makes me feel less pressure to do what it is that I’m doing, because I know that I have the choice to do something else if I want to.”

If selected, Paris 2024 will be Fowler’s second appearance at the Olympic games. She has grown a lot from the 18-year-old she was when Australia finished fourth at Tokyo 2020.

“I think I’m just as excited, but I feel like I can bring more to the team this time,” she said. “I’ve had the chance to show my value and quality to the team over the last few years, moreso than I did before the last Olympics.

“Last Olympics I felt really lucky to be there, and I was just like – everything is so amazing, but I didn’t really see myself as a player that would be able to bring heaps to the team. If I sat on the bench for a bit and got one minute I’d still be super happy, you know?

“Whereas now I’m very focused on going to the Olympics and trying to bring the qualities that I’ve shown in the last few years and being that all to that tournament for this team… I can have a bit more of an impact this time around.”

The sight of Fowler’s arms spread wide after scoring a goal – usually accompanied by a large grin – have become iconic in a CommBank Matildas jersey. She was asked if fans would see a more ‘advanced’ celebration if she was to score against Mexico.

“I can’t give any promises,” Fowler laughed. “I do like the heart one!”

“I don’t know… it’s just not really my personality. But we’ll see in the moment.”

MATCH DETAILS | APRIL 2024 FIFA WINDOW

Mexico v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 9 April 2024 (local) / Wed, 10 April 2024 (AUS)
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 10.00am (AEST)
Venue: Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX
Broadcast: Paramount ANZ  
Tickets: ticketmaster.com