Hopkins lauds Gielnik's Matildas return, backs Morrison if called upon.

Melbourne Victory boss Jeff Hopkins says Emily Gielnik's return to the Matildas is a just reward for her form and hard work. He'd back his captain Kayla Morrison to do a job if needed, too.

Melbourne Victory attacker Emily Gielnik is back in the injury-hit Matildas squad, a just reward for her sterling form and the endeavour she has shown to get back to full fitness in the eyes of her coach Jeff Hopkins. And if the injury bug continues to bite, the Victory gaffer reckons defender Kayla Morrison could do a job in there as well. 

Alongside FC Nordsjælland defender Winonah Heatley and Brisbane Roar winger Sharn Freier, Gielnik was called into Tony Gustavsson’s squad for the April international on Thursday, helping to fill the gap left by injured triumvirate Katrina Gorry, Clare Hunt and Courtney Nevin. 

It’s the first time in almost a year that Gielnik has been part of the Matildas setup, the previous occasion coming when she was part of the 29-player provisional squad named by Gustavsson before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup before being one of six players omitted for the tournament proper.

The last time she logged minutes in green and gold, however, came back in early 2022 at the Asian Cup, where she made two appearances off the bench, including the Matildas 1-0 defeat to South Korea in the quarterfinals. 

The 31-year-old has been beset by injury during this intervening period, battling a long-running ankle complaint that ultimately saw her exit WSL side Aston Villa and, once she’d returned to play with Victory this A-League Women season, a persistent calf complaint. 

But when she has played this season for Victory she's been good. Very good. Making her return from her calf in January after two early season cameos, the attacker has scored seven goals and logged two assists in ten appearances, as well as starting Victory's last seven games. 

Victory’s 3-2 loss to Newcastle last Friday was the first time that her side had lost a game this A-League Women season in which Gielnik had played, with the attacker bringing a physical dimension to her play that, especially with Sam Kerr out with an ACL injury, set her apart from her peers in national team contention.

“Really pleased for Em,” Hopkins said. “Over the past nine games, it's no surprise that her form has gotten better and better as our results got better and better. She's scored some fantastic goals, some fantastic individual goals, and she's worked really hard for the team.

“She's worked really hard to get herself where she is. The long-term injury she had has been hard for her to handle. She's come back. Our medical staff and our S&C have been fantastic with her. 

“Really pleased because she's worked hard for this. And it's good that when people work hard, they get a reward.”

Undergoing ankle surgery, Gorry is expected to be out until at least May, placing her in something of a race against time to prove her fitness ahead of selection of the 18-player squad for the Paris Olympics. Waylaid with a hip injury, Nevin, meanwhile, is expected to be back in action within weeks. 

Suffering a stress fracture in her foot, Hunt is anticipated to be out for around a month, giving plenty of time for the now nailed-on starter for Gustavsson to return to fitness. 

Of course, given Hunt’s long history of injury troubles, her latest knock has led to something of a worried reflection amongst the Matildas’ faithful, casting their eyes over the somewhat threadbare depth that lies behind the established centre-backs currently in the squad. Football can be cruel and you never know what the future holds.

But Hopkins, at least, believes his captain, one of the A-League Women’s best defenders, when fit, since she entered the competition, could help out there. 

Born in California, Morrison secured Australian citizenship last November and while there are other matters governing a player's eligibility for a senior call-up such as international registrations, Hopkins said he was “pretty sure” she was available for selection should the national team come calling. 

“Kayla's been without doubt our most consistent player this year,” said Hopkins. “I put her as the number one central defender in the league. So I'm sure the national teams will be looking at her and considering her. If they do look at her, she won't let them down.

“You don't know until you try her. I can't see any reason why she wouldn't. She's technically good. She's physically very, very good. She's got pace. She's aggressive. She's got everything that you need from a top-quality central defender.”