And thus began a pretty good career with the Matildas. Her first major tournament was the 2014 Asian Cup,starting in all but one match,including the final,which Australia lost 1-0 to Japan. She also went to the 2015 Women’s World Cup,scored in the shootout which they ultimately lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics in 2016,and then went to another Asian Cup in 2018 - but this time she didn’t play a single minute,and it was during that tournament when things started to unravel for her.

She retired from international duty,then fell back in love with football

After hurting her knee at the 2018 Asian Cup,and then missing out on the squad for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France,Heyman called time on her Matildas journey after 61 caps and 20 goals,declaring her body was unable to cope with the rigours of top-level football.

She later admitted the knee problem,while real,was just a cover story,and what she really needed was a mental break from the game after being unceremoniously ‘fired’ from the national team. And so that’s what she did. She stepped away from it altogether,sitting out the 2019-20 W-League season.

During her sabbatical,Heyman completely recharged her batteries. She got her body right,discovering the wonders of reformer Pilates and infra-red saunas. She worked as a W-League commentator,which helped her see the game differently.The hunger returned.And when she resumed her club career with Canberra United in 2020-21,she was a player reborn,eclipsing Sam Kerr’s record to become the W-League’s all-time leading goalscorer.

“I needed that break. And it’s OK to have a break,” she said on Network 10 on Wednesday night. “And it’s OK to come back at 35 and have some fun out there because I know I can still do it.

“Age is just a number. I’ve still got it.”

She’s now in the box seat for the Paris Olympics

Heyman scored 10 goals in her comeback season,then nine,then 12 last term. This season,while Canberra United are rooted to the bottom of the A-League ladder,she’s top of the charts again with another 12 goals plus five assists. But all throughout her footballing renaissance,Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson didn’t seem interested.

That was until Sam Kerr’s ACL injury changed everything. Suddenly,Gustavsson desperately needed a striker - and since there were no younger players banging down the door,he turned to a 35-year-old Heyman. Good decision:her five goals across the two legs against Uzbekistan have won her a new legion of fans and proved to herself and everyone else she is not a spent force.

The only question nowis if Gustavsson can find room for her in his 18-player squad for the Olympics.

Read more

• Heyman eyes Paris after four goals in Matildas return
• Matildas a genuine medal contender
• As it happened:Australia thrash Uzbekistan 10-0