'Sam's our captain': Steph Catley backs Sam Kerr to reclaim Matildas captaincy
Updated . First published at
The Matildas' captaincy is heading back to Sam Kerr.
With the Chelsea striker back in the fold, defender Steph Catley is happy to step down from the skipper's role, clearing the way for Kerr's leadership to resume.
Catley was elevated to captain during Kerr's extended absence from the national team as she recovered from the ACL injury she suffered in January 2024.
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Matildas stars Sam Kerr and Steph Catley show their appreciation for the fans. Alex Pantling/FIFA via Getty Images
Kerr made her long-awaited return for the Matildas in Australia's 2-1 win over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Neither the superstar striker nor Catley wore the captain's armband for the match. Catley did not feature following a delayed preparation stemming from her travel to Australia for her grandmother's funeral.
The team was instead led by winger Hayley Raso, who was celebrating her 100th national team appearance.
However, ahead of the Matildas' clash against England in Derby on Wednesday morning (AEDT), Catley has stepped aside, confirming her full support for Kerr to reclaim the captain's mantle.
"The way that I see it is Sam's always been our captain. I am the vice-captain; she's been out for two years, so naturally I stepped into the role as captain, and I'd like to think I did my job. I did exactly what I needed to do," she said.
"As a leader, I try not to change anything I'm doing already, or anything about myself, so I try to bring who I am off the pitch on the pitch, and just keep everything sort of the same and lead the way that I do.
Australian captain Steph Catley reacts during the Olympic match against the United States. Getty
"Whether I've got the armband or not, I'll continue to do the same thing. Sam's our captain, and that's always the way that it's been."
Speaking ahead of the match against Wales, Kerr declared she wants the Matildas captaincy back.
Kerr's off-field behaviour during her injury lay-off sparked debate as to whether she is fit to be reinstated.
Kerr was the subject of front-page headlines at home and in the UK after she was charged with racially aggravated harassment. The charge related to an altercation with a police officer while Kerr was intoxicated in January 2023.
After pleading not guilty, Kerr faced a drawn-out criminal trial that cast a shadow over her career and public image. However, she was acquitted by a jury in February.
Football Australia has since removed any barriers, allowing Kerr to continue in the role if appointed by Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro.
Sam Kerr in her comeback game for the Matildas. Getty
Asked about the Australian public's "fascination" with the captaincy, Catley emphasised that the situation is aligned within the Matildas camp.
"It does seem to be a point of interest, but not so much within our camp," she said.
"It's not something that Sam and I have sat and discussed at all. I think [returning the captaincy] is something that has sort of felt like a given.
"I think the outside perspective thinks that she has disappeared from the team completely, just because she's injured, but that wasn't the case at all. She was still very heavily involved in discussions. I work with her.
"When she is captain, we work together as a partnership, and that didn't change when she was injured."
While proud of her stint as captain, Catley fully placed her support behind Kerr and their continued partnership as captain and vice-captain.
Steph Catley hands the captain's armband to Sam Kerr during the knockout stage match against Denmark at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Andy Cheung via Getty Images
"I'm proud to have been able to step into that role and do it the way that I did, and in my style, and have all the girls support me through all of that, and have Sam support me through all of that, but it's kind of a non-topic for us," she said.
"Sam's been injured but has been very supportive as always, and helping the team from afar. Now she's back, she's stepping back into the captaincy role, as she should, and we all support her through all of that.
"I'll always be her number one supporter and her vice-captain, working with her to get the most out of our team."
After starting for the Matildas against Wales, Kerr played 65 minutes and will gradually increase her game time as she returns to full fitness.
