In the Matildas 26-player squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup currently being played on home soil, eight players have represented the Roar.
The club’s tie to the national side has long been strong. Since the Women’s A-League creation in 2008, 146 Matildas have featured in the competition. Remarkably, 38 of them have played for the Roar — the second-highest tally behind Sydney FC.
Yallop: “QAS was a full-time programme that we didn’t really have anywhere else in the state.”
134-capped Matilda Tameka Yallop holds Brisbane Roar women’s records for most goals (157) and appearances (156). A Brisbane local, she has spent 14 seasons with the club, including its inaugural 2008 campaign, and her career has taken her to the United States, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Japan, and Norway. Yallop returned to the Roar in 2023 and was set to captain the 2025/26 side before a hamstring injury sidelined her in December.
“I’ve got a lot of amazing memories and even to this day the inaugural season is one of my favourites. It was with a lot of the original Brisbane Roar players and the Matildas players as well. That one has always stuck with me,” reflected Yallop.
“It’s amazing to see how the league has progressed. We’ve finally almost got a full home and away season. Seeing it grow and seeing more people do it full-time has been amazing. Having it broadcasted regularly on TV has been excellent as well,” she said.
Yallop highlights the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), the state’s elite youth development pathway, as a major factor behind the Roar’s strong connection to the national side.
“QAS was a full-time programme that we didn’t really have anywhere else in the state. I was lucky to come through that. We had top-quality coaches there who played themselves and had international roles.”
Katrina Gorry: “It gives a lot of credit for the pathways we have in Queensland.”
Brisbane-born Katrina Gorry has notched 119 appearances for the Matildas and is a true Roar stalwart, having logged over 100 games for the club. Her career has taken her to the top leagues of Canada, the United States, Norway, Japan, and Sweden, and she is now plying her trade for West Ham United in the Women’s Super League (WSL) in England.
“I loved playing for the Roar for a long time and I still watch most of their games even when I’m back in the UK. I’m always the number one supporter,” Gorry said.
She agrees that the state’s programmes have played a key role in developing national team talent.
“There’s always been a good amount of Queenslanders representing the country and I think it gives a lot of credit for the pathways we have in Queensland. Players work hard and want to be on the big stage and they have always supported that.
“Brisbane Roar have always been a good team and being able to play there develops you as a player. You’ve got to be proud to be from Queensland, that’s for sure.”
At the Women’s Asian Cup, Gorry has been key in the Matildas’ midfield and is soaking up the chance to play a major tournament on home soil once again.
“It’s nice to come back home and have your family and friends in the stands to sing the national anthem with Australia. It’s a special time for us,” she said.
From orange to green and gold
Having worn orange for the Roar and green and gold for the Matildas, Yallop and Gorry offer advice to young Queenslanders chasing the same path.
“Keep having fun because it’s a lot of hard work and it’s a lot of training,” said Yallop. “Figure out how to enjoy each moment, enjoy the running, enjoy the hard work. As long as there is enjoyment, you’ll keep improving.”
“Take every opportunity that you can. Grab it with both hands, but stay in the moment,” added Gorry. “Your career goes so quickly, so it’s important to stand still in moments and reflect on the journey that you’ve had.”
From 2008 A-League pioneers to today’s Asian Cup stars, Brisbane Roar continues to drive Queensland’s Matildas legacy.
Brisbane Roar’s Matildas
| Name | Position | Roar Debut Year | Roar Caps | Matilda Caps |
| Ellen Beaumont | Midfielder | 2008 | 30 | 3 |
| Verdrana Popovic | Defender | 2008 | 42 | 1 |
| Clare Polkinghorne | Defender | 2008 | 139 | 169 |
| Jenna Tristam | Forward | 2008 | 5 | 9 |
| Elise Kellond-Knight | Defender | 2008 | 75 | 115 |
| Lana Harch | Forward | 2008 | 23 | 24 |
| Casey Dumont | Goalkeeper | 2008 | 44 | 3 |
| Alicia Ferguson | Forward | 2008 | 10 | 66 |
| Kate McShea | Defender | 2008 | 21 | 73 |
| Tameka Yallop | Midfielder | 2008 | 156 | 134 |
| Karla Reuter | Defender | 2008 | 31 | 49 |
| Kim Carrol | Defender | 2008 | 104 | 54 |
| Sasha McDonnell | Forward | 2009 | 8 | 2 |
| Joanne Burgess | Winger | 2009 | 48 | 40 |
| Aivi Luik | Defender | 2009 | 29 | 45 |
| Emily Gielnik | Forward | 2009 | 95 | 63 |
| Amy Chapman | Midfielder | 2010 | 63 | 20 |
| Lisa De Vanna | Forward | 2010 | 9 | 150 |
| Laura Brock | Defender | 2010 | 52 | 63 |
| Catherine Cannuli | Forward | 2011 | 11 | 4 |
| Katrina Gorry | Midfielder | 2012 | 116 | 119 |
| Larissa Crummer | Forward | 2013 | 58 | 33 |
| Hayley Raso | Forward | 2013 | 47 | 105 |
| Angie Beard | Defender | 2014 | 31 | 3 |
| Cortnee Vine | Forward | 2015 | 10 | 30 |
| Mackenzie Arnold | Goalkeeper | 2016 | 48 | 61 |
| Kaitlin Torpey | Defender | 2016 | 43 | 22 |
| Sharn Freier | Forward | 2020 | 67 | 9 |
| Wini Heatly | Defender | 2019 | 16 | 14 |
| Jamilla Rankin | Defender | 2019 | 45 | 7 |
| Jenna McCormick | Midfielder | 2018 | 34 | 4 |
| Indiah Paige-Riley | Forward | 2018 | 31 | 1 |
| Leah Davidson | Midfielder | 2018 | 11 | 4 |
| Morgan Aquino | Goalkeeper | 2020 | 4 | – |
| Grace Kuilamu | Forward | 2023 | 26 | 1 |
| Laini Freier | Forward | 2024 | 17 | 1 |
| Chloe Lincoln | Goalkeeper | 2025 | 16 | 5 |