Athletes are known for their superstitious pre-game quirks to reel in some luck.

Whether that’s being summoned by a prayer or a ritual, for some, it often forms a crucial part of their preparation. 

Australia’s soccer legends Matildas are no stranger to the sporting tradition. 

Here’s how the Matildas are gearing up for game day.

Caffeine, Drake and lucky shin pads for Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr does not take her role as team captain lightly with a long ritual in tow before every game.

In a 2019 video interview with ESPN Australia, she deemed herself to be “quite superstitious” and has about eight or nine things to cross off her list throughout the day. 

Pasta the night before a match is a must for the 29-year-old where she’d have the leftovers for lunch on game day.

Then, it’s two hits of caffeine in the day – one in the morning as a perk-me-up and another just before the game.

When it comes to hype music, Kerr listens to tunes from either Drake or Burna Boy to get the energy pumping.

Once in the venue, she’d brush her hair in the change room before the game.

She’d have her shin pads on, the same ones she’s worn since 2007.

Last on the list are some basic stretches and rolls before she’s all ready to rumble.

Alanna Kennedy never skips over a warm up

Kennedy follows a strict three-step ritual to set her up for success.

The magic happens entirely on the field as the 28-year-old defender finds comfort in a good warm up.

Both feet must cross the opposite line on the field on her first run.

There’s no cutting corners or cones throughout — it’s her principle for not “cheating the system”.

And because she doesn’t wish to feel rushed in the process, she likes staying at the back to complete her stretches.

Kennedy also sports an iconic blue headband in every game.

It’s the shoes for Clare Polkinghorne 

For this defender, the secret to success lies in how one’s shoes are laid out. 

Polkinghorne keeps a simple but methodical system.

The right sock is always placed on the right boot and the left sock on the left boot before she puts them on for the game.

Hayley Raso lives by subtle but symbolic 

Socks and boots are also ritual essentials for striker Hayley Raso.

But as compared to Polkinghorne, Raso’s more judicious about the order of them being worn.

Left sock goes on first, followed by the left boot and then the right sock, followed by the right boot.

Then, there’s the iconic wrap around her low bun and always in a colour that matches her kit each season.

The ribbon she wears is often gifted by her grandmother before games and has become a constant through her sports journey. 

From school games to selection processes while she was trying to make the cut, Raso religiously wears one even till present day.

Ellie Carpenter turns function to fashion  

Food, music and accessories are the trifecta Carpenter has to check off before the big moment.

Oats are a must-have three hours before the match.

To get her going, Carpenter listens to a song of her choice.

Then, she dons on a thick blue headband that’s hard for anyone in the crowd to miss.

Fun fact: The headband is actually a thin medical gauze that gets taped around injured knees and ankles. Also known as pre-wrap.

Plastic headbands are banned due to their risk of injuries so players like Carpenter, Raso and Kennedy opt for this alternative and make it fashion.  

Kyah Simon is always open to more pizzazz

Matildas’ striker Kyah Simon makes sure her hair is straightened before every match.

And when that’s done, fuel’s next on her list.

Simon usually tosses up between two options: It’s either the classic vegemite and avocado on toast or a jazzed up peanut butter with banana on toast for the Matildas striker.

Lydia Williams stays grounded in her heritage

Motivation comes from the beats of her own sound according to the Matildas’ goalie.

Williams tunes in to at least one or two songs of her choice in the change room before joining in the group music session after.

Her pre-match go-to meal is peanut butter and jam in acknowledging her American roots passed on from her mother.

Williams also pays homage to her Indigenous background through a pre-game tradition that started alongside Simon with full support from the team.

Both players would unfurl the Aboriginal flag for their pre-game photo before their first matches.

Showcasing support and solidarity with Indigenous Australians, the photo is often accompanied with a personalised anti-racism message.

Why does Mary Fowler wear gloves?

Gloves are a common sight for goalies on the field, but here we have the exception and that is Mary Fowler.

The Queensland-born defender keeps us guessing with this one, as seen on a TikTok video posted on the official Matildas account. 

Clare Wheeler takes a stab and says she thinks “it might be a superstition thing”.

But Fowler was gracious enough to give us three options to take a hint. 

“Because I’m cold or because I am protecting my nails or because I am fidgety — guess which one?” the youngest Matilda player teased her fans.

Whatever the reason may be, we couldn’t agree more with Clare.

“I don’t really know but if she’s banging in goals with the gloves, than the gloves stay on for me” says Clare.

And like the team player she is, she usually starts game day by having breakfast with the team.

Nutrition for the day would be scrambled eggs, baked beans on toast and coffee.

Mackenzie Arnold embraces her hearing loss journey

Arnold’s pre-game routine has recently seen a huge shake-up as the goalkeeper learns to adapt to life with hearing aids.

The 29-year-old shared her hearing loss journey on her Instagram just months before the Women’s World Cup.

She filmed her journey of having her hearing tested and getting fitted for hearing aids in the UK.

However, since receiving them, she still chooses to keep them off the field.

“I’ve played my whole life without them in. I still consider not wearing them as normal,” she told Optus Sport.

But as Arnold adjusts going through everyday life with her aids, she’s not ruling them out in games completely.

Courtnee Vine puts herself first

“Feeling refreshed” is top priority on Vine’s mind and “me-time” is how she gets there.

This includes ensuring her arms and legs are well-taken care of with time spent on shaving and moisturising.

Occasionally, Vine would also sneak in a midday snooze in a dark room.

It’s giving self-care to the T.

It’s shower, acai, shower in that order for Katrina Gorry

For the 31-year-old midfielder, showers before a game are a must.

That’s right, one bath time run won’t do the trick.

Gorry has a shower to start her day and another just before heading off to a game.

More of a routine, rather than a superstition, she says, she also enjoys an acai bowl on game day.

And if there’s room for extras, it’d would have to be with a side of poached eggs on toast.

Courtney Nevin never passes up on her essentials

Labelled the “Assist Queen”, Nevin knows she needs to keep her energy up throughout a match.

Staying hydrated and making sure her skin stays protected is how she does it.

So that goes without saying, her two staples are electrolytes and sunscreen.

Steph Catley finds motivation from family

It’s all about being mentally ready for a match for this Matilda’s defender.

The thought of making her family proud drives Catley to give her best performance each time.

Knowing how much they love to watch her play, Catley aims to keep them entertained and have fun at the same time.

Aside from that, she also enjoys the team’s shared music session in the change room to psych up for a match.

No music or distractions for Charlotte Grant

The 22-year-old has been adopting a more mindful practice, drawing on lessons from a podcast.

Grant makes it a point to have 15 to 30 minutes to herself, void of music and distractions.

In this time, she either takes a walk, writes in her journal or completes simple tasks such as doing the dishes.

This helps her to get in the right frame of mind and hones her focus for the match.