EXCLUSIVE: Mark Bosnich calls for answers to Mary Fowler positioning dilemma amid Sam Kerr's lengthy absence
Australian football great Mark Bosnich believes the Matildas need to better utilise the talent of Mary Fowler amid the lengthy absence of injured superstar Sam Kerr.
The Matildas have struggled to bounce back since their disappointing Olympic Games campaign, having finished winless on debut at the SheBelieves Cup.
With teams seemingly slicing through the Matildas' defence with ease - conceding eight goals in three games - the ongoing debate around the best positioning of Fowler was also exposed with just two goals scored, and none to the star striker.
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Fowler has been in top form in recent months having punched six goals and six assists in 13 appearances with Manchester City.
She also made history as the first player in the WSL to contribute at least two goal contributions in four consecutive games.
But the 22-year-old's injection into the national team has yet to have the same effect as her club land success.
Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr of celebrate a goal. Getty
Fowler failed to complete the full 90 minutes in any of the Matildas' three matches at the SheBelieves Cup, however, she did enter the tournament with a hamstring concern.
With Kerr's return to the national team still an unknown as she continues to recover from a ruptured ACL, Bosnich believes the Matildas need to better utilise Fowler's talent.
"The performance [against Colombia] wasn't great but it wasn't that bad either," Bosnich told Wide World of Sports.
"The structural problems [seen at the Olympics] still seem quite prevalent, especially in attack - namely being their inability to get the ball early to Mary Fowler.
"They need to find Fowler so she has as much time and space to do her damage.
"Even when Sam is playing, they have to get the ball to (Fowler). (Kerr) can't do it on her own where Mary Fowler can. Fowler can set up Sam Kerr.
"That's something they really have to sort out because she is a weapon that is being underutilised right now."
Bosnich admitted that the absence of Kerr was always going to pose "an uphill battle" for the Matildas, however, does not believe it is the primary reason the team is struggling.
"When you are without your best player in any sport it is always going to be an uphill battle," Bosnich said.
"I hope for (Kerr's) sake and the team's sake that she returns. There is always that lingering doubt when you have such a serious injury.
"She is one of the best players in the world and has been for quite some time. It is quite apparent that when she is not playing we miss her.
"It would be in the player's head that they hope they come back as good as they were. That will be something that will be playing on her and other peoples mind.
"But I still think the structural issues is the bigger issue."
Another unknown in the Matildas transitional cycle remains around the how much longer coach Tom Sermanni will remain in charge in an interim capacity.
The 70-year-old has expressed his desire to enter retirement in the near future but a decision on who will take over the role has yet to be made.
Given the Matildas are set to host the Asian Cup in 2026, questions around how much longer the team can last without a coach have been raised.
"We are officially a year out from the Asian Cup and having a tournament on home soil is a very big thing," said Bosnich.
"I totally understand the interim situation with Tommy Sermanni because I think you'll find that all the rosters were done for the 2024/25 season for world football. It would have been difficult to probe someone away at that stage.
"But they've (Football Australia) got to make a decision on that as soon as they possibly can. Whether that be that they appoint someone else or go overseas.
Tom Sermanni, Interim Head Coach of Australia talks to his players. Getty
"Personally, when there is a major sporting tournament on home soil, I think it's always more favourable to have somebody that is from your own country but it's not a necessity.
"The most important thing for the Matildas is to win this competition," he continued.
"I think a par for the tournament will be the semi finals but a lot of people will be saying a par should be to win it but after hearing about Japan I'm not so sure.
"A decision needs to be made as quick as possible for everyone's sake because it is leaving everything in limbo."
