Queensland duo Winonah Heatley and Sharn Freier have shown interim coach Tom Sermanni why they are two of the Matildas' most promising members of the next generation in the 3-1 friendly loss to Brazil.
The pair, both 23, are in prime position to contend to become key members of the squad that contests the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.
Heatley, playing as a defensive midfielder, had her first start in the national team and did not take a backward step in a bruising and brutal encounter with Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Freier, in superb form for Brisbane Roar this year, came off the bench and was an attacking threat with her pace and skill.
"It is always really special to reach this level with players you have come through with at youth level," Heatley said of her former Roar teammate.
"You have that different connection and willingness for them to succeed a little bit more so it is super special. "I thought Sharn played unreal. Every time she has come on she's has made an impact in the last year. The sky is the limit for her."
With the home Asian Cup on the horizon, Sermanni said it was the right time to bring young players into the squad.
"Sharn is a great example. She came on tonight and showed real promise with her pace and ability to dribble," he said.
"I certainly didn't know that because I have just seen her play in the W-League. You hope that those players step up to this level.
"I thought Winonah did admirably. She has come in late to the camp and is mainly a centre-back but we needed to have more of a physical strength in midfield and I thought she did ever so well."
At the 2023 World Cup, 10 of the 23 squad members of the Matildas were Queenslanders.
One of those, veteran Clare Polkinghorne, was recognised on Thursday night in what was her farewell match at Suncorp Stadium. "I moved to Brisbane when I was 15 and joined the Roar academy and Polks was the one I looked up to and idolised," Heatley said.
"I got to make my W-League debut next to her and come into the national side next to her. She has just been a great mentor for me as a player, and off the field."
