Canberra United Academy's 'phenomenal' Junior Matildas star Nikita Perry injured n NPLW loss

After a year's hiatus due to the pandemic, the Junior Matildas wrapped their camp last week at the Australian Institute of Sport, and Perry was right at home in the green and gold according to her NPL Women's coach, Sarah West.

"She came back from the camp and was really pleased with her level of fitness, and for me as a coach, that gives the girls a level of confidence in our system," the Academy manager said.

"The primary objective is to get them ready for when they get called up."

West said Perry boasts skills that are exactly what national selectors are after.

"Nikita is dynamic and unpredictable, and she's got a phenomenal brain," the coach said.

"Selectors are looking for somebody who can keep opposition defences guessing, have good technical ability, and can turn the engines on and put oppositions under pressure."

Unfortunately Perry may be feeling worse for wear after her side's 1-0 loss to the West Canberra Wanderers on Sunday, with the forward coming off in the first half with a foot injury.

"The physio will do an assessment on her. She's not actually sure how she hurt herself, but she was looking pretty sore when she came off," West said.

"Hopefully it's just a bit of a roll of the ankle and it's not too much time out.

"Nikita has been playing a lot of football the last few weeks so she's probably a little fatigued, so we just took her off at half-time to protect her."

Hattie Cram's strike saw the Wanderers get up against Canberra United Academy, but West was still pleased with the efforts of her team, especially after losing Perry.

"Take away the result, I was pretty excited by how the girls played today," West said.

Women

Men

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: