Hopefully if Dario Vidosic ends up getting the Matildas head coach job in the future it'll lead to a change in the selection policy where we start to promote the likes of Shelby McMahon, Skye Halmarick and Peta Trimis from the farm system and focus more on promising youth prospects as opposed to continuing to prioritise the old guard, favouring experienced players who are past their prime.
Ilona Melegh told Sam Kerr she wanted to play alongside her one day – six years later, the 17-year-old goalkeeper has made her first Matildas squad.
Will the teen goalie be given a run against Mexico?
You’ll like Willa Pearson too! She’s not a Matilda yet but she will be one day (and I think she’ll captain us to a trophy)! Plays for Sydney FC and was named Player of the Season at 15 (débuting at 14)! And she plays cricket too!
Hopefully Ilona Melegh gets a run between the sticks at least once for the Matildas in their friendlies against Mexico but knowing the current selection policy I highly doubt it'll be the case unfortunately.
Willa Pearson already has experience with the Junior Matildas and has captained Australia at age grade level previously though.
I’d love to see her get a go. We’re quite defensively strong so that should help her. She’s statistically not the best goalie in the Dub but she’s been good this season and still has time to learn.
Ilona Melegh has prior international experience as part of the Matildas farm system including starting every match of our recent under-20 Women's Asian Cup campaign between the sticks also but unfortunately the selection policy means it's more likely Mackenzie Arnold will be starting in goal for both games.
Not yet, according to the article I read.
I was going off this:
