This has been the feeling since the announcement was made the Matildas would return to play on Australian soil for the first time since March 2020.

Fans waited 596 days.

Serious allegations cast a dark cloud over the homecoming, thrusting the side into the media spotlight.

But for long term supporters, the growing interest in the side in recent weeks is a stark reminder of the role the media plays in the coverage of women's sport.

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Over the last five years the Matildas' profile has grown, as Australia awakes to the untapped potential of the side - untold stories, results, marketability.

The allegations coming to light in Australia, the United States and Venezuela highlighted the opt in, opt out approach to the women's game.

US publication The Athletic's reporting kicked off the #MeToo movement in women's soccer. As other publications scrambled to cover the NWSL, it seemed, for the first time.

Leading to increased coverage of NWSL games for a few weeks.

US supporters asked the media to not abandon the league once the allegations had dropped out of the news cycle. To continue to cover it, and not opt in for the allegations and op out after.

They wanted full picture coverage.

The same questions on coverage will take shape in Australia in coming weeks.

However, already the coverage has dropped.

A large number of journalists signed up for the pre-match presser, the first interview since the allegations, with Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson. And less attended subsequent interviews.

Before their 3-1 win over Brazil, Gustavsson said outside pressures were growing for the national side, and they would need to harness it, as it was a privilege.

Hopefully it will become standard practice, not a privilege, to cover all aspects of the Matildas - not opt in, opt out.

As Sport Integrity Australia launches its inquiry into the country's top leagues, Matildas' supporters will hold their breath to see if the coverage continues as the allegations fade out of the news cycle.