right where you left me

Chapter 49 - Anatomy

Matildas Squad 2023 World Cup Finals

Mackenzie Arnold

Tegan Micah

Lydia Williams

Courtney Vine

Clare Hunt

Charlotte Grant

Alanna Kennedy

Steph Catley

Ellie Carpenter

Clare Polkinghorne

Alex Chidiac

Clare Wheeler

Katrina Gorry

Emily Van Egmond

Tameka Yallop
Tippah Jones

Kyra Cooney-Cross

Courtnee Vine

Mary Fowler

Hayley Raso

Sam Kerr

Caitlin Foord

Kyah Simon

The team was soon officially announced a wave of relief brushed over me. I knew it was unlikely I would miss out (if not, impossible) but there is still a feeling of uncertainty.

"Girl, there was no way you would've been left off," Steph said, as we walked onto the plane together.

"You never know," I replied.

"Since the Asian Cup, in which our midfield has never needed you more, I think Tony is scared not to have you on the pitch," Steph said, assuringly.

"Yeah, I mean, without you, there is no midfield," Caitlin laughed. I tried taking that all as a compliment but it did mean something else: pressure and lots of it.

Leaving for Australia was exciting, except for one thing: leaving Leah. We had just got to a good place and I would be jetting off halfway across the world without her. She would be here. I would be there. Our hearts: connected. But our bodies: two oceans away. It was not what I had hoped.

But it was life.

And we must move with it; not against it.

We flew into Sydney, and when I landed, I had remembered why I avoided this city. Instead of focusing on the footballing tournament that was near weeks away, I was bombarded with people asking me solely about my father.

Before everything went down, I went seemingly undercover in this city. Not many people knew the name Tippah Jones unless they were football fans, and followed the Matildas closely.

But now, now I am the footballer whose father was murdered by her brother and mother.

I am not just a footballer.

I am a footballer with a backstory that's more important than the prior.

It's not what I wanted. But it was life, and I guess, we must move with it; not against it.

"Tippah! Tippah!" a reporter screamed at me, as I came down the escalator at Sydney airport.

"Just ignore them," Caitlin said, grabbing my arm and bringing me outside to the cab that was waiting for us.

"Tippah! What do you think about the trial that is about to start?" one reporter asked.

"Tippah! Are you going to have to testify in court? Is that taking away from your ability to perform at this world cup?" another asked.