Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Joel Gould

World Cup driving Roar's Crummer in ALW

Larissa Crummer (r) has enjoyed a promising start to the ALW season with the Brisbane Roar. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Brisbane Roar and Matildas forward Larissa Crummer is a plumber by trade and already this A-League Women's season she is proving adept at exploiting the leaks in the best defensive lines.

The 26-year-old has been captivated by the Socceroos' charge to the knockout stages of the men's World Cup in Qatar and has her sights set on playing up front for the Matildas at next year's FIFA women's showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.

The first task on her agenda is helping the Roar challenge for the A-League Women's title. She is in cracking form with two goals in as many games this season.

On Saturday, Crummer travels with Brisbane to former club Melbourne City, where she was the competition's golden-boot winner in the 2015-16 season.

After spending almost two years out of the national team following complications from a badly broken left leg, Crummer - who has 30 caps for Australia - has featured in recent friendlies for the Matildas across a range of roles.

Up front is her preferred position, though, and the Socceroos' success has her excited about next year's Women's World Cup.

"The boys are doing really well and to get into the round of 16 is just unbelievable," she told AAP.

"I am just so excited about the Women's World Cup next year. It is all closing in.

"It does help, being able to play more than one position. It is nice to know they think I can play more than one position ... but naturally I am a striker and it is a position I want to play (for the Matildas) and keep improving at.

"Everyone wants to play for the national team, so the fact I've had such a long time out and slotted back in comfortably with the Matildas is something I am happy with."

Crummer has worked extensively on her game in the pre-season with Roar coach Garrath McPherson.

"My finishing has stepped up a lot compared to last year," she said.

"I was a bit nervous in front of goal and that has changed, as you can see from the start of the season.

"I have been working on my speed, my one v one, and on my finishing generally."

Crummer may be deadly in front of goal at the weekend, but during the week she is solving problems at her father's plumbing company in Noosa.

"I have not quite finished my plumbing trade and have got another year to finish," she said.

"If anything like the injury I had, touch wood, ever happens again I have something to fall back on.

"I am not the sort of person to sit at home and do nothing. It keeps me active and my brain active."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.