16-year-old Mary Fowler’s round one debut for Adelaide United is proof she’ll be instrumental for the Reds this W-League season.
Fowler’s quality shone through in the game against Western Sydney Wanderers, winning her team a penalty and scoring from the spot in her side’s ultimate 2-1 loss.
It’s hard to believe this was her first W-League match.
Fowler looked comfortable on the ball, and for good reason.
Ironically the debutante is one of the most experienced players in the Reds W-League squad, after a World Cup call up and a series of Matildas caps. It’s incredible for a player so young.
As a regular in the Future Matildas and Young Matildas squads, she most recently featured in the Asian Under-19 Championship and finished equal third in the Golden Boot standings with four goals.
Adelaide United is the perfect environment for her to excel and develop under the guidance of manager, Ivan Karlović.
As a natural goalscorer, she has proven that she can provide the killer instinct that the side was lacking last campaign and propel the Reds to a maiden finals birth.
The biggest task for Karlović will be making sure that there isn’t too much pressure on her shoulders.
Despite Fowlers Ronaldo-like style, she is a massive team player and will benefit from playing with the likes of US youth international Mallory Weber.
Weber herself was once one of the most exciting young strikers in world football. She burst onto the scene in the US College league scoring 36 goals in 100 appearances.
If there’s one person who knows about the pressures of being a young prodigy, its Weber. If she can mentor Fowler and they strike up a good partnership, United will do some serious damage.
Apart from the team’s impressive dynamic, there are other factors that will play a part in Fowler’s success. Her family have joined her in Adelaide which will help her settle, including her sister Ciara Fowler who also joins the Reds for the campaign.
Having her family by her side, Fowler can stay grounded and concentrate on her football in an environment that is set up for her to flourish.
It’s no secret there are a lot of comparisons to Sam Kerr and if Fowler continues her upward trajectory, the sky is the limit.
Feature image: Adelaide United
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