Matildas fans feel shortchanged by the Queensland Government’s recent tribute at Suncorp Stadium after last year’s impressive World Cup semi-final.
Veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop attended the unveiling of a bronze mural in honour of the Tillies in Brisbane on Tuesday. The question now is: how many players can you name just by looking at the controversial artwork?
This came after then Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk promised to build a statue as a permanent reminder of the Matildas’ heroics on the field in August last year. However, this never materialised.
Shortly after the mural at the south entrance was unveiled, it was heavily criticised by football fans and analysts on social media.
“I had low expectations for this Matildas mural outside Suncorp Stadium, but even I didn’t expect… what this is,” sports writer Mark Gottlieb wrote on X.
‘The Matildas have finally got their statue* at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium following their performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. *Not a statue. Just a plaque actually,’ tweeted reporter Luke Cooper.
“The Matildas mural looks like something you’d see on a $1 coin,” a third said bluntly.
A fourth said: ‘It’s about as insulting as a token gesture can be. Even printing out a photo and laminating it would look better.’
The Matildas have been immortalised in a bronze mural outside Suncorp Stadium (pictured) – after originally being promised a statue would be erected in their honour
Despite the scathing criticism from some quarters, Yallop felt that being immortalised in bronze was a great tribute.
“Women have made an incredible contribution to sport in Australia and have made a significant impact, creating moments like we did that united a nation,” Yallop said. News Corp.
“It’s great to see so many young girls and boys, as well as men and women, inspired by the achievements of women in sport. We are proud to be part of that legacy through the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
In a statement, the Queensland Government said the permanent tribute honours the “extraordinary impact the Matildas have had on women’s and girls’ sport”.
“It is fitting that their success is now immortalised at the site where it took place,” said Prime Minister Steven Miles.
‘It is important that we recognise the extraordinary achievements of the Matildas for the next generation: inspiring more women and girls to get involved with football.
‘Next time you’re at Suncorp, visit this incredible tribute and feel the lasting pride of being Australian.’
The mural was based on this famous photo of the Matildas as they beat France on penalties at the World Cup last August.
The Matildas’ bronze mural features (left to right) Tameka Yallop, Katrina Gorry, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Steph Catley
Matildas fans felt shortchanged after Queensland Government ‘tribute’ at Suncorp Stadium (midfielder Tameka Yallop is pictured right at the unveiling)
Former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s promise to the national team has been broken – and the replacement mural was not well received
Some commentators were harsh on X when it came to pointing out how unimpressive the bronze mural was in their eyes
Many fans used humour to express their disappointment at the new addition to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium
Posts like this sum up the reaction of Australian football fans to the replacement of the statue promised to Sam Kerr and her teammates
Meanwhile, the Matildas are scheduled to play Brazil and Chinese Taipei later this year under interim coach Tom Sermanni.
The matches will be played in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Geelong from November 28 to December 7.
Yallop is excited to be working under the highly regarded Sermanni again.
“He’s one of the first coaches who instilled the mentality of never giving up,” she said.
“We were able to continue that and it is fitting that he comes back.”
Sermanni is the longest-serving coach at the Matildas, having previously been in charge from 1994 to 1997 and from 2005 to 2012.