Defender Prior looks like a key find for the Matildas

Once retired at 21 through concussions, defender Tash Prior looms as the find of the Matildas' mixed international window five years on after stepping into Australia's defence like she always belonged there. Interim coach Tom Sermanni was effusive in his praise of Prior, 26, who made her first start and scored her maiden goal inside two minutes of Wednesday night's 3-1 win over Taiwan. Despite Clare Hunt's emergence over the last 18 months, finding new central defenders has long been a problem area for the Matildas. But tall, composed centre-back Prior, the daughter of former Premier League defender and ex-Matildas' assistant Spencer Prior, backed up her impressive debut off the bench against Brazil with aplomb. "She's kind of walked into the team a bit like Clare Hunt did a year-and-a-half ago," Sermanni said. "She plays with composure, authority. She's got good defensive strength, she's mobile, and she's very good on the ball. "So, she's actually got all the qualities that her father never had as a player - and scored one more goal than him! "I spoke to the players about before the game - 'I want to see players come in this team and look like they belong' and I think she's done that." Prior was humble when told of Sermanni's praise. "Being compared to players like Clare Hunt is obviously a large compliment," she said. "Clare and I are friends off the field, so it's nice to, I guess, be partners on the field now. "Personally happy with my performance - a few shaky moments but I think I settled into the game." Newcastle Jets rock Prior, who works full-time as a senior consultant at Deloitte, was highly rated in junior teams before concussions derailed a promising football career. But after her successful return last season, Sermanni had been "keeping tabs" on her in recent months - then called her up. "I retired around the age of 21 - I had a pretty hard concussion," she said. "I went into full-time work, working in Deloitte. "Probably about for two years, I had on-and-off stints playing at different clubs like Sydney, and then I think I took another break. It's a bit jumbled in my head, the exact timeline. "But coming back last season properly with the Jets for a proper full season, and then again this year, and then obviously being called in (to the Matildas), it's been a long journey, but it's also happened quite quickly." Prior, who is back to work at Deloitte next Wednesday, is likely to start again in Saturday's second game against Taiwan at GMHBA Stadium, especially with Tottenham defenders Hunt and Charli Grant departing. FC Twente midfielder Daniela Galic will also return to her club, with plenty of changes on the cards. Sermanni was hopeful Chloe Logarzo had avoided concussion after she was forced off following a first-half head clash, and could be involved in Saturday's game.