Emerging talent Caley Tallon-Henniker of Sydney FC explains to aleagues.com.au her decision to pursue football over rugby league, driven by her aspiration to become a CommBank Matilda—a dream that is increasingly within reach as she shines in the Ninja A-League.
After hanging up the phone, Tallon-Henniker was eager to share the exciting news with her parents.
It was a crisp Saturday morning in October 2023 when the then-17-year-old received a life-changing opportunity that awaited her.
With Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine sidelined due to injury, there was an open spot in the Sky Blues’ squad for their journey to Uzbekistan for the AFC Women’s Championship, and head coach Ante Juric was keen for the young winger to take the chance.
However, there was one small hiccup.
“It was quite amusing,” Tallon-Henniker shared with aleagues.com.au.
“During training that week, I somehow ended up in the starting team, which felt unusual. I thought, ‘This is strange. Cortnee’s injured. Maybe he (Ante Juric) is just using me to fill in temporarily until he decides on the starting lineup.’
“Then I received a call from Ante on Saturday morning while I was at home with my family. He said, ‘You’ve been training exceptionally well. I’m quite impressed and want to offer you the opportunity to come to Uzbekistan.’ I instantly replied, ‘Absolutely, I’m in!’”
“After the call, I ran to tell Mum and Dad. Their response was, ‘That’s fantastic – but don’t forget you have your HSC exam on Tuesday.’”
This was a challenge that the determined teenager was set to conquer, marking the beginning of her senior football career in a way she could never have anticipated: embarking on a flight to Uzbekistan with a stopover in Dubai, where she managed to sit her HSC exam in the midst of a bustling airport lounge.
“It was a flurry of phone calls over four days with my teachers, the Department of Education, and our team manager—everyone was scrambling to figure it out. Eventually, they arranged for my strength and conditioning coach, who also teaches, to supervise my exam right there in the Dubai airport,” she recounted.
“I set up at a table in the lounge, slightly away from the rest of the girls who were all catching up on sleep. It was noisy too, with construction going on around us, but I managed to finish the exam.”
“After that, I was ready to fully focus on my time there. I wrapped up school, completed all my exams, and could concentrate entirely on playing. I’m currently in my second year at uni in Wollongong, focusing on exercise science and rehab.”
Thus began the career of a promising young player, who just months prior to her adventure in Uzbekistan, had to decide between football and rugby league, both of which she had excelled at since childhood in Illawarra.
Growing up in a rugby league family, with her grandfather Rod Henniker playing for the North Sydney Bears and Illawarra Steelers, Tallon-Henniker was immersed in the sport. From the age of 11, she balanced both rugby league and football, and just before her trip to Uzbekistan with Sydney FC, she represented the Australian Schoolgirls rugby league team in Papua New Guinea.
However, during her time in PNG, Tallon-Henniker came to a realisation that solidified her commitment to football.
“I’d always aspired to be a Matilda rather than a Jillaroo,” she admitted.
“That dream held greater significance for me. While growing up, I naturally gravitated toward football because it presented a higher challenge and was played at a more competitive level. In rugby league, I felt comfortable enough to skip training or a game now and then without major consequences. But with football, I wanted to be at every match to ensure I didn’t fall behind more skilled players.”
“From the very beginning, I leaned towards football, and that passion only grew stronger until I made my final choice.”
“During my second week of pre-season with Sydney FC as a train-on player, I had to step away for a week to join the Australian Schoolgirls rugby league team in Papua New Guinea. The entire time, I felt the tug of missing Sydney’s training sessions. I was eager to return and felt quite envious of the team.”
“The moment I returned from Papua New Guinea, I knew my decision was made.”
“Ante was quick to sit me down, suggesting it might be wise for me to commit to one sport moving forward.”
“While I do wish there was a world where I could play both, I feel satisfied and happy with the choice I made in the end.”
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Tallon-Henniker’s journey gained momentum when she was officially added to the squad in February 2024, following an injury to Fiona Worts. Any lingering doubts about prioritising football were swiftly dismissed when she made an explosive debut in the Ninja A-League.
Her first match was a Sydney Derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers, where she found the back of the net in a 2-0 victory. Now, just a year after her initial appearance, Tallon-Henniker has accumulated 23 league caps for Sydney and has already become a Ninja A-League Champion at just 19 years of age.
Reflecting on her inaugural season wearing Sky Blue, she cherishes the learning experience under the guidance of Matildas star Cortnee Vine and the chance to challenge herself against some of the nation’s top defenders.
“I remember showing up for the first day, and Cortnee approached me to introduce herself, which was surreal as I’d admired her for years,” she said.
“It’s a strange feeling—to be living this life now, with players I’ve long admired as my teammates.”
“Just observing her during training, I’ve gleaned so much. The ability to learn on the fly from players like Kirsty Fenton and Tori Tumeth, who are formidable defenders, is invaluable. Their relentless nature on the field is unparalleled, and being tested by them at training is an experience like no other. The intensity at training and the camaraderie among the girls, along with the coaching staff, create an exceptional environment—one that I feel lucky to be a part of.”
Vine and Caitlin Foord are two of Tallon-Henniker’s Matildas role models.
“Caitlin lives nearby, serving as a local inspiration,” Tallon-Henniker shared. “I admire her aggressive, attacking style; I’ve tried to incorporate that into my game, along with Cortnee’s influence.”
Both Foord and Vine previously enjoyed successful spells at Sydney FC before making their mark in the Matildas squad, where they became Australian icons with their performances during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Tallon-Henniker is eager to follow in their footsteps and has made significant progress towards this goal recently by earning a spot with the Young Matildas squad.
New head coach Alex Epakis is keen on giving Tallon-Henniker the chance to shine as the team looks ahead toward a pivotal year featuring both the Under-20 Asian Cup and Under-20 World Cup in 2026.
After impressing at the PacificAus Four Nations Tournament in February, she has now secured a place in Epakis’ 25-player squad for an upcoming domestic training camp set within the March/April FIFA international window.
It’s an opportunity that Tallon-Henniker is eager to make the most of, albeit feeling it should have materialised sooner in her Sydney journey.
“I had always felt a bit disheartened during moments like making my A-League debut and scoring goals, yet still missing a Young Matildas cap or camp,” she shared.
“This left me feeling as though something significant was lacking during the last development cycle. Gaining immediate selection for the first camp in this new cycle has been incredible; I’m thrilled and eager. At first, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect, but the experience at the initial camp—with the staff, environment, and the girls—was top-notch.”
“Heading into another camp at the end of this week, I’m excited to forge ahead in building my confidence and my skills as a player, while also nurturing relationships with both the girls and the new coaching staff. I believe we have the potential for a successful journey ahead with this group.”
“Putting on the jersey—just like the one the Matildas wear—is surreal. I see them in action on television, and now I’m putting it on myself. It’s evident that I’m getting closer—another step nearer to the Young Matildas. I just need to keep pushing, and hopefully, one day, I’ll get my chance.”
“I aim to reach the (Under-20) World Cup, yet I first want to achieve success at the Asian Cup. I believe we can make it to the final and surpass that, and from there, achieve further success at the World Cup.”
“What’s exciting is that our Asian Cup and World Cup coincide with the senior Women’s Asian Cup, which should greatly enhance our visibility. If we ride on the waves of that success, we could attract attention and interest in our squad.”
Before meeting her Young Matildas teammates again, Tallon-Henniker is anticipating an exhilarating Sydney Derby this Friday night.
READ MORE: 23 Ninja A-League rising stars named in Young Matildas squad
Sydney FC will visit Marconi Stadium to face the Wanderers, and following a recent resurgence, they retain a slim chance of making the finals with only three games remaining.
Tallon-Henniker has faced the Western Sydney Wanderers twice in the Ninja A-League, having scored in both encounters; her latest goal was the decisive factor in a 1-0 win earlier this season.
“The Wanderers, this derby—nothing compares, honestly,” she stated.
“It’s undoubtedly the match we all anticipate from the season’s start. Almost every match from here on for us is about giving our all, going for those three points, and seeing what follows. But no one is giving up yet. It’s been a challenging season, yet everyone remains focused on securing a win week after week, and this match is particularly special.”
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