Matildas captain Samantha Kerr has become the second West Australian to notch 100 caps for the nation. The 28-year old striker joined fellow Matilda Lisa De Vanna in achieving the milestone by leading the line for Australia overnight in a 3-2 friendly loss to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Samantha brought up her 100th appearance for Australia twelve years after making her international debut as a raw, prodigiously talented 15-year old. She is now arguable the most recognisable face and name in Australian football and is the 10th Matilda to reach 100 caps.

“Any time you get to represent your country and play with this group of girls, it’s an amazing honour,” said Samantha, who admitted to being disappointed long-time teammates and close friends Emily van Egmond and Caitlin Foord missed the occasion for personal reasons and injury respectively.

“It’s something I don’t take lightly and I am a little bit sad some of my buddies can’t be here for it. I have pretty much played all of my 100 with them but I am sure there will be many more games to celebrate all our hundreds.”

Samantha last month became Australia’s greatest female goalscorer by netting her 48th international goal in an Olympic Games encounter with the United States of America. She sits just two goals shy of Socceroo legend Tim Cahill, who found the back of the net 50 times in 108 appearances for Australia.