Kerr’s challenge to Perth fans ahead of Westfield Matildas clash

Westfield Matildas star Sam Kerr has challenged Western Australian fans to ‘pack out’ Perth's nib Stadium when Australia hosts Thailand in a friendly in late March.

The FFA confirmed on Wednesday that the Matildas will tackle the world number 30 in a farewell clash ahead of April’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan.

The match will be the first time the Matildas have played a match in Perth.

Born in Fremantle, Kerr was delighted by the news and urged the WA community to get behind the team, particularly given the large crowds the Matildas have drawn in the last six months.

“I’ve been nagging everyone at FFA for a while now to bring a game to Perth. We’re a national team and it’s great that we’re finally playing all over the country,” Kerr said at a media conference on Wednesday.

“Everyone’s been asking me ‘when are the Matildas coming to Perth, when are the Matildas coming to Perth’? And now this is finally it.

“I set the challenge to Melbourne to come out and support us and now the challenge to [is there] for my home state.

“I’ll be sending all my messages to my friends and getting everyone I can to hopefully pack out nib and make it a great night.”

The Matildas are in sensational form having won seven straight matches and have now jumped to four in the FIFA World Rankings.

Kerr netted a remarkable 11 goals in 11 games for the Matildas in 2017, including a hat-trick and three braces.

The Glory attacker admitted it was special to finally play for Australia in her home state, before taking a cheeky dig at her Matildas teammates.

“It means everything. Number one, I get to play for my country in front of my family and friends,” Kerr said.

“Also show my teammates what I’ve been raving on about, saying ‘West Coast, best coast’ for forever now.

“Half of them only come here for two hours for the game!

“I’m really excited. A lot of people in Perth have been asking me ‘when are they coming over, when are you coming to play’?

"Now it’s finally come and I’m proud to be a part of it because I honestly thought it may never happen."