'He has rejected your calf, O Samaria!' — Kerr's curse, Women's World Cup, Part 2

The midweek scheduling meant we stayed in Melbourne for the first Matildas match versus Ireland, and watched a disaster unfold on television.

‘Why is Sam Kerr a sub?’ Polly asked, as the camera panned to Kerr in a blue parka, instead of the yellow tracksuit tops of her teammates lining up for the anthems.

The sound was down on the TV, so we were getting none of the commentary.

‘She won’t be a sub,’ I said with a bit of parental swagger. ‘It’s the first group match of a home World Cup. Come on…