Kaitlyn Torpey wasn’t even a regular starter for the Matildas before the Women’s Asian Cup, but tonight she could play a key role in the final against Japan in Sydney.
In one week, she’s gone from benchwarmer to critical defensive cog, and some philosophising from the endless source of football motivation, Ted Lasso, has been a big part of that journey.
One scene in particular sticks in her mind.
“You know what the happiest animal on earth is?” Lasso says to one of his players during a training session.
“It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory.
“Be a goldfish.”
And Torpey has taken that to heart.
“I definitely haven’t perfected it. I don’t know if anyone could be an athlete,” she told ABC Sport.
“But I think it’s a really cool mentality to strive for because I think the mental game in football is so important.
“It’s honestly more important than your technical or physical ability, especially in big games like this. If you make a mistake, try to forget it as soon as possible or move on to the next thing.”
Versatile and relentless
Torpey missed the 2023 World Cup squad, debuting in early 2024, and has made her mark as an incredibly versatile asset.
She can play as a fullback or in the forward line, and after failing to start the first three group games at the Asian Cup, her chance came in the quarter-final against North Korea.
Torpey (left) has started two games at left-back this tournament. (Getty Images: Janelle St Pierre)
Vice-captain and left-back Steph Catley was concussed, prompting Torpey to slot into the position.
The Australians’ defence was hammered in that game, but Torpey was a key reason why they held on for the win.
The biggest vote of confidence came when Catley returned for the semifinal, but was shifted to centre-back, to keep Torpey in the side.
“I tried every single session to prove myself and ended up earning my spot,” she said.
“So I do feel really proud of myself, and under the circumstances, I’m really happy with how I’ve performed so far.”
Torpey has been kept very busy during her two appearances so far. (Getty Images: Janelle St Pierre)
She was again outstanding in the semi, where her desperate lunge to get a toe to the ball set off the now iconic Sam Kerr match-winning goal.
“I actually don’t know how I got there in that position … I do remember that part of the game where I just felt like I needed to get this win, and I felt like I needed to put everything on the line,” Torpey said.
“So I wanted to work hard. I remember there was a period where I was trying to win every single tackle, and I just couldn’t stop, and I was so tired.
“I don’t even know how I made the full field run with Sam alongside her for that goal.”
For the whirlwind of highs that she’s had over the past week, she’s ensuring she touches grass too.
After the semifinal win, which incidentally was played on her 26th birthday, she took some time to sit on the pitch and be in the moment.
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“We have a chaotic life, especially in tournament football, so it’s hard to remember everything in detail,” she said.
“I wanted to just sit down and try to take it all in with my good friend Wini [Heatley], and then some of the girls joined.
“It was a really surreal moment, and we were all so happy after the game.”
Won’t stop to surrender
Torpey describes herself as happy, creative, and personable, and she has passions outside of football to keep her grounded, including photography and videography.
Torpey enjoys photography and videography in her spare time. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
Coach Joe Montemurro says she’s a great student of the game, known for keeping notes in team meetings.
But more than anything, staying still isn’t an option.
“I have such a growth mindset where I want to keep improving every single day,” she said.
“Even from the last game I’ve taken so many learnings and each day I just want to get better.”
Aside from TV shows, she takes her motivation from music too.
Torpey says she isn’t taking anything for granted. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
Where Strawberry Kisses by Nikki Webster was the unlikely cult hit that the Matildas used as their unofficial anthem during the last World Cup, Torpey has a more conventional choice — Temper Trap’s Sweet Disposition.
“Even before I got my first cap, I started listening to it, but I related it to the Matildas side,” she said.
“It was the first time I heard it properly and felt the meaning to it was when I felt like I was pretty close to breaking into the Matilda squad.
“It’s kind of a physical reminder now for me. So every time something cool happens or have a good game, I’ll play it.
“[Before] every single game, that’s the last song I’ll listen to.”
The song’s hook cries ‘won’t stop till it’s over, won’t stop to surrender’ and it’s as Matildas coded as you could get, echoing their traditional catchphrase of ‘never say die’.
As part of the newer generation of players, Torpey is showing that old values die hard.
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And she won’t be adopting her goldfish mindset for every part of the final.
“I just don’t think I’ll ever take this feeling for granted. I wanted it so bad, especially in that moment when I was watching them in the World Cup,” she said.
“And it’s a 360 now to see that we now have a home tournament and I’m a part of it.
“I want to do the little things to try and take it all in, like sitting on the field after the game and soaking every moment up.
“I appreciate it a lot and I feel very, very fortunate to be here and just ready for what’s ahead.”
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