Sharn Freier: "I just like to attack"

Sharn Freier described her first CommBank Matildas call-up as “surreal” as she spoke to Football Australia media about her non-linear path to the national team, and her experience at her first camp.

“It’s not something that I expected – it all happened pretty quickly,” she said, recalling her emotions when she was selected.

She actually missed the all-important phone call from Mel Andreatta, CommBank Matildas assistant coach, while she was trying on an outfit for the Brisbane Roar end of season awards night. When she saw her Mum’s number flash up on her phone soon after, she knew exactly what it might be about.

“She was already crying, so I knew it had something to do with that [the call-up]. She told me – I just got an email, I’ll forward it to you!” Freier laughed. “I was with my partner at the time, so I had someone as a bit of a celebration. It was pretty good.”

Freier was selected for the CommBank Matildas on the back of a stellar season for the Roar, leading the competition in key chances created. She explained that confidence was key to her results.

“The more game time you get, obviously allows you to be more of yourself out on the field,” she said. “I just played a bit more freely. Alex [Smith], my coach, just allowed me to do that. It brought out what I can do. I really benefited from it this year.”

Her success this season felt a long way away when in June 2021, she ruptured her ACL playing for Moreton Bay in the Queensland NPL. She said that her experience of rehab – alongside her twin sister Laini, who ruptured her ACL nine weeks before - has contributed to the player and person that she is today.

“It definitely made me a lot stronger,” she said. “Obviously when you do your ACL, you are stuck in the gym the majority of the time. It was definitely just understanding how important it [strength training] was. Even going back to playing, I prioritise gym just as equally so I could stay at that level and then from there, I felt so strong.”

As a youngster, Freier fell in love with the game almost as soon as she stepped onto the pitch. It set her up for a passion that has led her to where she is today.

“I haven’t thought about not playing. It’s all I like to do,” she said. “When you get a bit older you are a bit more exposed to other sports… I remember one of my teachers told me ‘oh, why don’t you play this sport for a change’… and I was like, Nah. I think I knew what I know now, I love football and I want to keep doing it for as long as I can.”

That youthful enthusiasm has translated into a player skilled in one-on-one situations, and setting up opportunities for her teammates.

“I just like to attack. Obviously, when you get older you realise it’s not just attack attack attack, you do have to defend,” she laughed. “But I just like running at players and trying to beat them, and do what I can to set someone up or score and go if I can.”

She said that she is trying to soak in every experience she can at her first CommBank Matildas camp.

“It’s realising that every detail matters,” she explained. “Making sure of your first touch or your movements and stuff like that, just because it is so fast paced. So you don’t have to worry about those little things, you can think about the bigger things, and things that are obviously going to help you improve.”

“It’s given me more of a drive to want to be better. Playing in training, with some of the girls even for a couple of days, it’s crazy, like it’s a good feeling. It just pushes you to want to be better because of the standard and the training. It’s a challenge, but it makes you want to be better.”

The Queenslander said that she hopes to take this experience and use it to make her a better player going forward.

“I’m taking everything that I’ve learned, grasping all of that, and then maybe have a little break after the season,” she said.

“Hopefully focusing on being an option in the u23s for the competition coming up in May. Just using everything I’ve learned to continue to build and hopefully improve, and keep going.”

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