EXCLUSIVE: Young star Mary Fowler is Matildas' 'next big thing', says Sam Kerr
Young Aussie Mary Fowler is the "next big thing", says football great Sam Kerr.
In an interview with Wide World of Sports and 9News, the Matildas great praised the young forward from Cairns, who recently signed with Manchester City.
"Mary Fowler, for me, is the next big thing," Kerr said.
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At just 19, Mary Fowler is already a World Cup hopeful and Kerr says she wouldn't put an endpoint on her abilities.
"You don't want to put a, you know, an endpoint on it because she's just like - as far as she wants to go, she can go, you know?"
Sam Kerr says Mary Fowler is the "next big thing". Nine
Mary Fowler signed with Manchester City in June.
"She got signed to city at such a young age. She's so mature for her age and yeah, I think she's got a long career in the Matildas still ahead," Kerr added.
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"It's one of those things where you just want to let her kind of take the reins and not put any pressure on."
Kerr thought Fowler may have joined her in Chelsea, but didn't knock her decision to sign with Manchester City.
Sam Kerr (C) of Australia celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Mary Fowler (R). Getty
"I heard that she might have been coming to Chelsea, but looks like City seemed a better fit for her." she said.
"Look, it's her decision in the end, and I'm sure the Aussies down there, Allana (Alanna Kennedy) and Hayley (Hayley Raso), will take care of her."
Despite not getting a chance on field in the last World Cup, Kerr is hopeful Fowler will get her shot in 2023.
Fowler has signed with Manchester City. Getty Images for Football Austra
"She would be really looking forward to this World Cup. And she's, like, cemented her place on the team. She's a good kid, she's got her head screwed on and she's a really good player," she continued.
"Hopefully, she's a star for us!"
With the World Cup fast approaching, Kerr says she hopes Australia's hype around the game improves.
"We don't really know what it's going to be like for us as a country, and as a team. We're going to be like, you know, flying the flag for all of women's sport." she said.
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"But, I think it's really going to like showcase what women's sport can do. I think Australia is obviously like, on board, but I think they're a little bit maybe behind compared to the rest of the world,"
"You've seen the Euros, how many people are coming out. So, I hope that with the amount of away travel fans and all of that, like, the country catches on to like how big and bold Australian women's football can be."
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