Emma Burke 
Steph Catley in action for the Matildas against Korea Republic in Sydney. Photo: Damian Briggs/Football Australia
Having made her return to her hometown of Melbourne after winning the Champions League, one of football’s most prestigious trophies, Matildas defender and Vice-Captain Steph Catley now has her sights set on silverware for her nation.
“It’s been a big few days, the biggest of my life and my career I would say. It’s something I’ve dreamed of my entire career, it’s the pinnacle of football,” said Catley.
She and her fellow Australian teammates at Arsenal, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross, lifted the Women’s UEFA Champions League trophy after defeating Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon, ending a 17-year long drought in the competition for the club.
“Being able to do it alongside my two Aussies and just being part of Arsenal and being that club to do it again it’s very special and to come back here and celebrate.”
“Being at a club like Arsenal, I always believed we were capable of doing it [winning the Champions League] but actually doing it is a whole other thing especially when you’re coming up against a team like Barcelona,” said Catley.
The experience of winning at the highest level with her club team has allowed Catley to reaffirm her desire to do the same for her country.
Her next chance to do so comes next year with Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, which Australia last won in 2010, with a squad that Catley was not yet a part of.
“Winning silverware with the Matildas has always been top of my list so it definitely makes me hungry.”
“I’ve got a taste of trophies and that would mean a lot to me if we were able to do that,” she said.
Listen to the latest episode of The Dubcast, Round Ball Australia’s Women’s Football podcast on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube, with new episodes every Wednesday.