Matildas fans were collectively stunned on Saturday after young gun Mary Fowler was benched ahead of the international friendly against Canada in Langford.
Coach Tony Gustavsson named the Manchester City ace as a substitute, alongside high profile teammates such as Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry, while captain Sam Kerr is injured.
It comes as Fowler's boyfriend - NRL superstar Nathan Cleary - was back home in Sydney as he prepares to return to pre-season training with Penrith.
The halfback was recently on holiday in the US, and some football fans hoped to see the three-time premiership winner cheering on Fowler in the stands, just like he did during the recent Olympic qualifiers in Perth.