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Matildas star Katrina Gorry admits she is yet to determine whether another major tournament is on her horizon, instead ensuring her focus does not stray from delivering Asian Cup glory to Australia.
The strike midfielder showcased the same energy which endeared her to the public during her side’s 1-0 triumph of the Philippines to launch their Asian Cup campaign in Perth.
At 33, her looming clash on the Gold Coast against Iran on Thursday may be one of her final chances to perform in front of her family at home.
The Brisbane product told this masthead the older she gets, the more she begins to contemplate her future, particularly as she juggles her sporting pursuits with West Ham and Australia and family life.
While World Cup and Olympic campaigns beckon in 2027 and 2028 respectively, she insisted she had not looked beyond her current mission.
“I think as you get older you look to your future, but for me right now it’s staying present and enjoying this tournament for every bit that it is,” Gorry said.
“There’s definitely thoughts about what life’s going to be like after football, but for me at the moment it’s about the Asian Cup and my family.”
Gorry’s guilt and special slice of home
Gorry – affectionately known as ‘Mini’ – pulled the heartstrings of pundits during the 2023 World Cup when she was seen walking around Australia’s stadium with daughter, Harper, in tow. Since then, she and her wife announced their son Koby’s birth.
There are times Gorry admits she feels guilty about her travel for club and country as her expanding clan remain at home.
But the opportunity to share another home tournament with them has her primed for a colossal campaign.
Katrina Gorry and daughter Harper show off the ‘Mini 19’ Knobby collection.
“Navigating mum life and football life, it’s hard to say you ever get the balance right,” Gorry said.
“We’ve definitely had a tough few months with sicknesses around the household, and when you go to training you kind of feel guilty you haven’t been there, and when you come home you’re exhausted.
“But there are so many special moments throughout the day, and you hold on to those pieces and hope when they go to sleep they know they’re loved, supported and that I’m always there regardless of when I’m away for games and training sessions.
“I’m always thinking about them.”
Katrina Gorry celebrates scoring a goal during last year’s friendly against New Zealand.Credit: Getty Images
Taking Australian football forward
Gorry said she still harboured a desire to one day don the Brisbane Roar colours in the A-League Women’s again. But the competition needs regeneration.
Until such a time, Gorry is determined to soak up her experience in England with West Ham, who currently sit 10th in the Women’s Super League standings after a ninth-place finish last season.
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She believed those harsh times would fuel her Asian Cup pursuits.
“I feel like they shape you as a player and make you work harder, make you fight harder,” Gorry said.
“It’s not all going to be smooth sailing, so to know I’ve come from a tough position at West Ham and bring that experience here I think is going to help throughout the tournament.”
On the back of the World Cup, the Matildas entered the 2024 Paris Olympics eyeing a podium finish. They were bundled out in the group stages.
But since Joe Montemurro took the coaching reins, his possession-based playing philosophy leading Australia holding 85 per cent of the ball against the Philippines, Gorry had seen enough to suggest success beckoned.
“You ride those highs and lows, and you’ve got to learn those lessons, and I think we’ve really come together as a group over the last couple of years,” Gorry said.
“All those experiences have brought us to this moment.”
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