Football fans in Queensland and Victoria will miss out on seeing Mary Fowler in coming friendlies against Brazil and Taiwan after the Matildas forward withdrew from the Australian squad citing mental and physical fatigue.
The side is already without striker Sam Kerr as she continues her rehabilitation after a serious knee injury, as well as winger Cortnee Vine who has taken a mental health break from football.
Fowler has been an important player this season for Manchester City – who sit second in the Women’s Premier League behind early leaders Chelsea – and played four matches in 14 days earlier this month.
The 21-year-old said she doesn’t take playing for the Matildas for granted, and it is an honour to put on the gold jersey. “I have, however, through past experiences, come to realise that my mind and my body are also things that I should also never take for granted,” she said.
“I’ve decided to take this time to prioritise recovery in order to refresh both mentally and physically, so that I can continue to put my best self forward for both club and country.”
Fowler will still travel to Australia from Manchester during the international window, but will instead spend time with family.
Thanks to her prominent contribution during the Matildas’ run to the semi-finals at last year’s Women’s World Cup, and supported by a relationship with NRL star Nathan Cleary, Fowler has emerged as the face of Australian football, particularly during the long-term absence of Kerr.
But she has had to be at her best to secure a place in City’s first XI after coming off the bench to start the season at the club which has ambitions for silverware in the domestic competition and the Champions League.
“Over the past few months, playing with an increasingly demanding schedule has been both exciting but at times also challenging,” Fowler said.
“I love being able to play at the top level of my sport, but recognising that sometimes my mind and body also need to rest has been an invaluable lesson for me.”
Fowler said she appreciated everyone’s support and understanding, “and I hope to see you all soon”.
Vine made herself unavailable for the past two international windows, and issued a statement two weeks ago saying her life has dramatically changed over the past two years. She said she has “discovered that identifying, managing and prioritising my mental health has become something I have needed to work very hard on”.
The Matildas play Brazil in Brisbane on Thursday and the Gold Coast on Sunday, before matches against Taiwan in Melbourne and Geelong next week.
