A-League Women's players are unlikely to be selected in the Matildas if they do not look at playing options abroad to get more consistent game time, given the short length of the season, says Tony Gustavsson.
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Some keys players from the ALW this season were left off the 23-player Australian squad named on Tuesday for the Matildas' two-game series against the Football Ferns next month.
ALW players Alex Chidiac, Winona Heatley, Fiona Worts, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Jada Whyman and Casey Dumont were a few names neglected from the list which raised questions. Only one player named in the Matildas squad is set to appear in the league next season - Sydney FC's Cortnee Vine.
"You can have an outstanding season in A-League, you can bring that to the next level either in club land to get more games consistently [or] even on a higher level," Gustavsson said.
"Because we all know that the season is very short. They do the best they can with the season that it is but these players that you talked about, they need to get an extended season and more games, and also at the higher level.
"People that [have] been around in this game in Australia much longer than I have, and have more insight of the history of it, have been been very clear that these players need to play more games. The season is too short, we know that."
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A FIFA Pro report this month found the ALW had the second longest break of any league during the last two season breaks with a total of 519 days. As the season each year runs from December to April, giving players a professional environment for a maximum of five months.
The ALW is set to get VAR for the 2022-23 season but calls to extend the season, and allow at least a full home and away fixture, have not been answered yet by the A-Leagues.
Gustavsson said the report, paired with ongoing extension calls from players, coaches and fans, showed the need to extend the season.
He said players would not be able to play consistent soccer if they remained in the 14 game ALW.
"We need to extend the season for these players. [It] said that we're one of the countries that played the fewest game per year in the world at the top league so they need more games," he said.
"So really, what does it say? It says that players have to play more games, but it also says that the players are good enough to get contracts abroad.
"I actually think we're going to see even more exports moving forward.
"I do think for the ones that haven't signed somewhere else yet, meaning it's the end of the A-League season now ... [are] going to have to ask themselves, 'What do I need to do to play at the highest level possible and to reach my full potential?'."
ALW stars Courtney Nevin, Remy Siemsen and Kyra Cooney-Cross have heard the calls of the national coach to get more game time under their belts and are set for Europe next season.
Melbourne Victory's Nevin and Cooney-Cross are off to Swedish club Hammarby Fotboll, and Siemsen is headed for the same league with AIK Fotboll.
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
