The Premier League once boasted a strong Australian presence. Mark Schwarzer made 514 appearances—more than any other Australian—while Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka, Mark Bosnich, Mat Ryan, Aaron Mooy and Mile Jedinak all carved out notable careers in England’s top tier.
Today, though many Australians compete in the men’s Championship, the Premier League has only one Aussie representative.
Eighteen-year-old Lucas Herrington recently moved to newly promoted Hull City from the Colorado Rapids in a deal reportedly worth around £17m including add-ons.
The Women’s Super League tells a different story. There are 13 Australians across eight clubs, with three at Arsenal and three at newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
Why is the WSL attracting so many Australians while the men’s pathway to the Premier League has thinned? Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro points to several factors, including more male players choosing to remain in Australia. While Aussies such as Portsmouth’s Hayden Matthews and Thomas Waddingham, Norwich’s Mohamed Toure, Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree and Blackburn’s Lewis Miller are still heading to England, Montemurro believes many who might have made the move now opt for the A-League, helped by the establishment of Australia’s men’s professional league in 2004. He also notes that expanded scouting and player development across Africa and Asia has broadened the global talent pool, giving clubs more options elsewhere.
On the women’s side, Montemurro says England’s increased professionalism and the creation of a second tier (WSL 2) have opened more doors for Australian players. Four Australians currently feature in WSL 2: Alexia Apostolakis (Bristol City), Rachel Lowe (Durham), Kaitlyn Torpey (Newcastle) and Alana Murphy (Nottingham Forest).