Laini gets first Matildas call-up

Picture: Courtesy of Brisbane Roar

Laini Freier, who played junior and senior football in Moreton Bay, has received her first international call-up.

The Redcliffe-born 23-year-old is in the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup competition being held in the US later this month.

Australia (world ranked 12) will face Japan (ranked 7), United States (Olympic champions, ranked 1) and Columbia (ranked 21) in three different states from February 20-26.

It completes a remarkable journey from Pine Rivers United to Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior), Brisbane Roar and now the world stage.

Freier, who is 24 minutes older than twin sister and Roar team-mate Sharn, has made a stellar start to her second spell with Roar.

The former Pine Rivers State High School student is equal top goal scorer, scoring seven goals in nine games, including hat-tricks in her first two games.

Sharn made her Matildas debut 10 months ago, but has not made the Matildas' squad due to an ankle injury.

The forward had an operation on the injury yesterday and Roar hope to find out how long she will be sidelined tomorrow.

However, Sharn will join German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg at the end of the Women’s A-League season in late April or May.

The Freier twins returned to Roar, six years after starring for the club's Youth side, where Laini set-up Sharn for the winner in the 2018 state-level NPLW Grand Final.

Laini also scored seven times last year, including in the semi-final and final, as Brisbane City won the NPLW Premiership and Grand Final.

The twins' started at Pine Rivers United, before joining Moreton Bay where they helped win the NPL Under 15 Girls’ premiership in 2016.

After two years at The Gap, they returned to Moreton Bay United's senior side but suffered ACL injuries within weeks of each other in 2021.

Laini and Sharn returned in late 2022 before joining Brisbane City in 2023. Sharn was soon snapped up by Roar and played for Matildas at the Paris Olympics.

Laini starred in Brisbane City’s rise from FQPL1 (with 21 wins in 21 games) in 2023 and the NPL Women's double in 2024 before turning professional with Roar in September last year.

February 20: Matildas v Japan at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas. Kick-off 9.05am February 21 AEST. Broadcast on Paramount+

February 23: Matildas v United States at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona. Kick-off 9.05am February 24 AEST. Broadcast on Paramount+

February 26: Matildas v Columbia at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diago, California. Kick-off 11.30am February 27. Broadcast on Paramount+