As I stood waiting for the Matildas squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be announced on Monday, one thing came to mind.
Years ago a teenage Ian Thorpe – already a megastar, wanted by everyone – sat at a media event, shy and with his head down, yet he had the biggest presence and aura I’ve ever seen.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mel McLaughlin sits down with Matildas superstar Sam Kerr.
Watch every Matilda’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ match live and free on 7plus >> or stream all matches on Optus Sport >>
That was a long time ago. But it struck me that I can now say I’ve felt it twice – when Sam Kerr walked into the room.
So there was one question I had to ask: is Sam, the megastar who everyone knows and loves, still just Sam? Can she still run her own race in life?
“I don’t think I’ll ever change, I think that’s just who I am,” the Matildas captain tells me afterwards.
“I’m just kind of calm and relaxed, like to just enjoy the moment and not get too far ahead of myself. Enjoy what I’m doing and where I am.”
Kerr, now 29, is a long way from the “cheeky little kid” who ran rings around then Matildas coach Tom Sermanni at training.
“Tommy probably has some funny stories of a couple of Matildas when we were 15, 16,” Sam says with a smile.
But is the cheeky young girl still inside the ultra-professional superstar?
“I think so,” she laughs.
“I think I’m a little bit more mature – hopefully. A little bit more calm and a little bit more driven, I think.
“Back then I was just a teenager who didn’t really know what I wanted or where I wanted to be but now I’m direct on where I want to be and what I want to do.”
Rightly or wrongly people assume Sam will take care of everything on the field and score the goals that matter.
That expectation? It’s nothing compared to what she puts on herself.
“I think I put more pressure on myself than people probably realise,” Sam says.
“Over the years I’ve really learned to deal with that pressure, and it’s not always just been up. People might see that it looks like an upwards journey but it’s been ups and downs, there’s been hardship over the years and some good times but it’s been a learning process for sure.”
Having covered the Matildas at events like the Tokyo Olympics, I’ve seen that internal force up close.
Sam would miss a shot at goal and what comes out of her mouth is clear, even without being an expert lip-reader: ‘That’s my bread and butter.’
She tells me now that her own pride in her game brings with it a feeling that she should be taking the easy chances.
“I hate when I miss a header because the girls have such good service to me,” she tells me.
“I know people want the spectacular chest volleys from outside the box, but that’s not what my career’s been.
“My career’s made on being a lethal striker in those lethal moments. That’s where I pride myself on.
“I love scoring amazing goals but they don’t very happen often.
“Being switched on, I think that’s the biggest thing for me – staying focused in the moment. I might not touch the ball for 85 minutes but I always focus on making a difference.”
For as much as Sam had to say about her game, I had to save the most hard-hitting question for last.
Just how do the famous backflips come about?
“I don’t pre-plan it because I would probably get too excited and not score,” Sam says.
“But in a big game you kind of have to do it. If I’m too excited I’ll probably fall over and break my neck or something!
“Sometimes it’s for the fun, I think sport’s about entertainment so sometimes I love to do it.”
As we move towards the World Cup, one thing’s for sure: Australia is in very good hands with Sam Kerr.
Mel McLaughlin and broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney will lead Seven’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with expert insight from Elise Kellond-Knight, Heather Garriock and more. Watch the Matildas and other key matches live and free on 7plus.
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