This was published 8 months ago

Updated February 26, 2026 — 6:31pm , first published 3:58pm

To play a major tournament on home soil is special for every Matildas player. But for one, the Asian Cup holds a deeper significance.

Wini Heatley is about embark on her first major tournament for Australia and will do so in front of the big family with whom she grew up in Far North Queensland.

Wini Heatley speaks with media at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Thursday. Getty Images

It is precious because the 24-year-old defender just missed the cut for the Paris Olympics, which she thought might be the big moment. But it is also poignant because a key member of that idyllic, outdoorsy childhood will not be watching.

Heatley lost her stepbrother Josh last November, just days before Australia’s two-match home friendly series against New Zealand.…