Ellie Carpenter

Currently recovering from a serious knee injury, suffered mid-way through 2022, knowing Carpenter's determination, not many would put it past the full-back, to return to play soon, before preparing herself for a key role at the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup on home soil. Among a large cohort of internationals to have been raised regionally, not many of those current and past Commbank Matildas would have been subject to the gruelling routine of the Carpenter clan, during the early years of the footballer's development. Regularly making the 8 hour round-trip to Sydney and Canberra to promote the talented youngster into high-level competition, the family sacrifice paid off, as the defender was signed by newly-formed Western Sydney Wanderers as a 15-year-old. A well publicised Australian debut followed shortly after, during the side's 2016 Olympic Qualification campaign, becoming the first international to be born in the 21st century, a milestone which has now been broken numerous times by the current Commbank Matildas squad. Following a successful start to her international career, her club life also flourished, with the defender spending three years in the United States, before a dream move to Europe's most successful side Olympique Lyonnais. The signing elevated the Australian from national treasure to international superstar, with a knee injury not enough to stop her wild celebrations, as Lyon reclaimed the UEFA Women's Champions League, earlier this year.