The Matilda's have officially embarked on their "Reconnaissance Mission".

Before i make mention of this tour, i would like to summarise our last weekend in Sydney. The unique aspect of the gathering... NO football boots, however highly football orientated. I've always wondered how we would behave towards each other when training was not the definitive factor for our day. And the outcome, you can decide for yourself...

The FFA Awards on the Thursday night were fantastic, my highlight was seeing all the girls dress up in their frocks. Such a contrast to tracksuits and Aussie Strips. PLUS the Socceroos were there. I was sitting at a table with Mark Schwarzer, who in turn had a very successful night in the awards stakes. Good on him. Fantastic keeper and overall nice guy.

On Friday Thea (Slatyer) and myself attended a Women's in Sport dinner at the Sydney University. I have never been to the Uni before and i was amazed by the buildings and grounds within this gorgeous campus. It felt very European. I was happy to be beside my old High School teachers, it was great reminiscing. 5 years have flown by, and there was much to catch up on. Teigen Allen (current Matilda- yr 11 student) is studying at the The Hills Sports High School and i made a promise to keep my eye on her whilst we are away- help her out where possible, perhaps not with biology. Science's are not my forte.

The most enjoyable experience for me over the weekend took place after the Socceroos game. Imagine the SFS stands empty. The Socceroos have just defeated Paraguay. The lights still on. There are cameras out in the middle of the pitch filming a roudy bunch of footballers from all walks of life. Where else would Sammie Kerr, Teigen Allen and I find ourselves, smack bang in the middle of the action. A 'mosh-pit', the kind when your team has won a tournament or in this case (Australia winning the 2022 World Cup bid).

According to Phillip Noyce (director of films such as Salt and The Bone Collector) and following his direction- the WORLD CUP trophy is finally in Australia. I will paint you a picture...

A girl in a blue suit (thanks to technology will be made in to a kangaroo) has been hoisted up on the shoulders of two gallant men- extending her arms with the trophy above her head. AND Phil calls.... 3, 2, 1 ACTION. We all jump and scream and reach for the trophy. After half an hour or so and several positional changes. ... 6 footballers meander over in our direction....Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire.... :) OK Can this be any more amazing. Firstly this world class director is envisaging a project, hopefully in securing our World Cup bid.. He and his crew are sharing their vision with us, including the Matildas, alongside the Socceroos, surrounded by all these intense characters who are just as excited to be there as us girls.

I cannot imagine the boys had too much energy considering they had just played and no doubt have to fly back to their clubs some time soon. However for the 20 minutes they were there, they made the most of it. For 2 hours the rest of us experienced what it must be like as actors, except our only line was screaming, and there is definitely more involved, i guess all we had to do as ask Phil. It was unbelievable to think he had just finished working with Angelina Jolie in SALT.

Im so glad Sammie and Teigs agreed to stay behind after the match, they have a great level of energy- as most youngens do nowadays. However i find these two quite unique, they take 'energy' to a whole new level. Im jumping on the grass, reaching for the trophy, it was hot, sweaty and tiring. I swing my head around and Teigens flung herself up on to Sammie's shoulders, she grabs the trophy and the group erupts!!!! This sat so well with Phil he had requested for it to happen again. However this time- a bloke had offered his shoulders. How lovely of him, i wonder if he knew what he was getting himself in to. Sammie and Teig's remained nice and energetic, their enthusiasm flooded throughout the group. It was Infectious. Sammie ended up with the trophy a few times and had not anticipated it being all that heavy, it fell back on to her head, her reaction- Laughter. See what i mean, Unique!

Afterwards we were thanked for our involvement and dismissed from our duty as actors. I don't think we will receive phone calls anytime soon. I'd much rather be off in a foreign country chasing leather anyway, sorry phil :-)

We were chauffeured back to the hotel in a private car. Teigen's father had picked her up, Sammie and i could not stop smiling at eachother. I called some of the girls and they had venutured over to the Socceroos headquarters (hotel lobby) for a function. I, amongst others had to be up in 5 hours for the Breakfast on the Bridge. Home we politely asked to be taken.

SUNDAY MORNING.....BREAKFAST ON THE BRIDGE...

We had arranged to be picked up at 545am. The FFA had sponsored the event to show case their World Cup bid, huge helium footballs lead the way as we walked over the bridge alongside NSW Premier Kristine Keneally, the Socceroos, FFA boardmembers and numerous other bodies of significant influence in regards to the World Cup bid.

Grass had been laid along the entire bridge, pot plants, entertainment, food, coffee, picnic rugs what more could you ask for? It was Surreal.

I had the opportunity to chat with Luke Wilkshire. He was to fly back to Russia in the next 24 hours. These guys are professional athletes, who do make a great deal of money- and that is all we see and care to understand. But the conversation i had with Luke was a true insight as to what it must be like and how unstable their lifestyle can be. I guess with any profession there is bound to be pro's as well as con's...

He was going to visit his family for the afternoon, surely he didn't mean it entirely when he commented on looking forward to the day he retires, but then i thought, understandably so...Anyway i had a really great chat and we spoke all things Russia. No football which was nice. There is more to the guy.

All in all, Sydney you were very exciting, however highly exhausting.

It is uniquely special to think that all these opportunities presented themselves as a result of playing football.