There’s not much the world doesn’t know about Matildas superstar Sam Kerr. The 29-year-old is arguably Australia’s No.1 sportsperson at the moment and, ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, she is carrying the hopes of the nation.
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It’s been an incredible rise for the striker, who has dominated in Australia, the United States, and now England.
She has a stack of individual accolades to her name, but it wasn’t always about goals for Kerr.
Fellow Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight recounts a story from their early days playing together, where a frustrated Kerr took exception to – of all things – her teammate’s red boots.
Elise Kellond-Knight and Sam Kerr. Credit: Supplied / Getty Images
“She was a really young player when I was coming through, too,” Kellond-Knight told 7NEWS.com.au. “I used to be left back and she would play right wing and we used to train against each other.
“I remember back in 2010 in those early years, I used to wear red boots at the time and she would absolutely hate me because she would always think she had the ball or be protecting it, but I’d always somehow managed to get my toe in and nick the ball off her and she’d be like, ‘frickin hell, KK, I hate you and your red boots’.
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“We had some good battles early on and then she moved to No.9 and I moved to center midfield and we didn’t really see each other again,” she added with a laugh.
Since moving to striker, Kerr has developed into a potent goal-scoring machine and often has a knack for the spectacular.
Last year, Kerr scored two wonder goals against Manchester United to help deliver Chelsea the Women’s Super League title.
Kellond-Knight, who is missing the World Cup due to injury, describes Kerr as a “natural freak”, capable of scoring goals from anywhere.
“(It’s) 100 per cent natural instinct, there’s no thought in it. It’s just ‘see ball, see goal, do it’ and that’s what makes her such a great player,” she said.
“At the top level you don’t have time to think and plan, it’s all pretty much instinct and your habits as a player, and she’s got that and it comes from her personality for sure – she’s such a free spirited, easy going type of person.
“You can see that in her game, why not have a shot from 40 yards out. You have to be some sort of a natural freak to be able to pull it off, which she obviously is.
“That’s what makes her so special. She trains hard but she’s not out practicing bicycle kicks every day, that’s just something she has in her locker.”
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Sam Kerr has a laugh at a training session. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Kellond-Knight also praised Kerr’s leadership.
“I think she’s a pretty open book, like the way that she gets through interviews and everything,” she said.
“That’s Sam, pretty authentic. Really down to earth, fun-loving, sees humor in everything, doesn’t overthink anything. Quite a genuine person.
“I think that’s what makes her quite a good leader of the Matildas. She is a good leader by words but it’s usually by actions – being able to really have that persona where she’s a natural leader.
“That’s great for the group … she’s down on our level and that’s Sam through and through.”
Mel McLaughlin and broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney will lead Seven’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with expert insight from Elise Kellond-Knight, Heather Garriock and more. Watch the Matildas and other key matches live and free on 7plus.
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