Mary Fowler shoots into contention for Golden Girl award | OneFootball

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·14 October 2022

Mary Fowler shoots into contention for Golden Girl award

Article image:Mary Fowler shoots into contention for Golden Girl award

Mary Fowler is one step closer to being crowned Europe’s inaugural Golden Girl award winner. The 15-player shortlist released in late September has been whittled down to a top 10, and The Matildas prodigy remains in contention.

Fowler is joined on the shortlist by Europes brightest rising stars such as Everton’s Swedish playmaker Hanna Bennison and Barcelona’s Paralluelo Ayingono. Fowler is  still listed in the awards  as a Montpellier player indicating that it will be judged on the last European season.


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Her time in France was one of Fowler’s most impressive to date. In 17 games, she scored five goals and added two assists. Her form at Montepellier was replicated with The Matildas. Since 2021, she has scored seven goals in 22 appearances with the national team, despite being used in a deeper midfield role than at club level.

The top 10 is the final short list of player before a jury of football journalists vote to decide the winner. Despite the tough competition, it would not come as a surprise for Fowler to take out yet another prize.

Fowler has long been touted as one of Australia’s most promising young players. She made her national team debut as a 15 year old in 2018 and established herself as a first team player in 2021. After a 3-2 loss to the Republic of Ireland, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson singled her out for praise on a disappointing night for the team.

“Mary Fowler’s first half was just world class,” said Gustavsson after watching her score both of Australia’s goals.

“She is one vs three at times and just slides out of those pressure moments, and then her finishing…she’s brilliant with both her right and left foot.”

Fowler’s performances in the green and gold and move to Manchester City have catapulted her into the limelight. She has been selected as the PFA Young Woman’s Footballer of the Year and was the second placed in NXGN Football’s Next Generation shortlist.

In many ways this most recent acknowledgement feels inevitable. But it should not be taken for granted what an accolade it would be.

Australia’s Mary Fowler is on track to be one of the best young players in the world and could be officially recognized as such when the name of the first Golden Girl is read out.

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