Samantha Lewis
Samantha Lewis (she/they) is a Digital Sports Journalist who specialises in Australian women's football and women's football more broadly. She covers all aspects of the sport from grassroots to the international level, including Olympic Games and World Cups, with a particular love of history, profiles, and long-form feature writing.
Her work has been published by The Guardian, ESPN, Optus Sport, and SBS - The World Game (among others), and has been recognised by organisations such as The International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
She lives and works on Gadigal land and spends most of her free time baking, reading, playing football, or tweeting nonsense at @battledinosaur.
Latest by Samantha Lewis
Are these the 'First Matildas?' Football Australia rewrites history with 1975 caps
In 1975, a women's club team represented Australia in the first Women's Asian Cup in Hong Kong, but they've never been acknowledged as official Matildas. Until now.
Analysis
analysis:Cortnee Vine's departure yet another warning shot for A-Leagues
The Matildas winger has signed a three-year deal in the United States, where full-time professionalism and standards are the norm. How should the A-League Women respond?
UEFA Men's Euros: Can England break its curse? Or will a magical minnow snatch the crown?
It's been three years since the last men's European Championship, with Italy defeating England in a controversial final. Can the Three Lions break their curse to win the 2024 title? If not, who else is in the running?
Analysis
analysis:Will FIFA's new match calendar help or hurt the women's game?
From 2026, women's football for club and country will look different. So, what exactly has FIFA done, and will it help grow the game?
Analysis
analysis:Balancing risk: Can the Matildas' Olympic squad gambles pay off in gold?
Tony Gustavsson's 18-player squad for the Paris Olympics looked predictable on paper, but there are risks all over the field. Can the Matildas balance them to win their first medal?
Analysis
analysis:'It's everything': Lydia Williams leaves the Matildas as one of its greatest legacies
As the Matildas' longest-serving goalkeeper and proud Noongar woman, Lydia Williams has ushered through a new era of Australian sport, both on and off the field.
Matildas defeat China 2-0 as they say farewell to legend Lydia Williams
The Matildas' home preparations for the Paris Olympics have ended on a positive note with a 2-0 win over China in Sydney.
Matildas draw 1-1 with China after Michelle Heyman's stoppage-time equaliser
The first of the Matildas' two friendlies against China ended in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw thanks to a Michelle Heyman goal in stoppage-time.
Analysis
analysis:'This is a love story': New Western Sydney Wanderers film shines light on Australia's forgotten sporting fairytale
They were a football club built by the people and for the people of Western Sydney, who went on to achieve something no other club had done. So why don't more people appreciate the Wanderers' fairytale?
Central Coast Mariners complete treble with 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory in A-League Men grand final
The Central Coast Mariners have completed an historic treble after defeating Melbourne Victory 3-1 at a sold-out A-League Men grand final in Gosford.
Newcastle United hammered 8-0 by A-League All Stars, women lose 1-0 to Arsenal
Arsenal FC claimed a 1-0 victory over a stoic A-League Women side after the men's team destroyed a young Newcastle United team 8-0 in the All Stars double-header in Melbourne.
Analysis
analysis:How will a Kerr-less Matildas tackle their 'group of death' at the Paris Olympics?
The Australian striker was officially ruled out of the Games this week as she recovers from an ACL injury. So who will Tony Gustavsson turn to as the Olympics' 'group of death' draws nearer?
Analysis
analysis:'A memory for a lifetime': Jürgen Klopp leaves a football legacy far greater than silverware
The Liverpool FC manager spent the past decade revitalising one of England's biggest clubs. His departure is a reminder of the legacy he leaves behind.
Brazil announced as host of 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup
It will be the first time a South American nation has hosted the women's football tournament, preferred by FIFA over a joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
'We're telling them we exist': FIFA to discuss possible Israel expulsion as Palestine women's team makes history
The Palestine women's national team played its first-ever game in Europe this week as FIFA prepares for a potential vote regarding Israel's expulsion from world football at its annual Congress in Bangkok.
Analysis
analysis:Did the A-League Women make the most of the Matildas' World Cup legacy?
From a new club to record crowds, the A-League Women tallied several big wins this season. But could the competition have done more to capitalise on the World Cup?
Analysis
analysis:How the Central Coast Mariners are busting Australian football's biggest myths
From the brink of bankruptcy and multiple wooden spoons, "the little club that could" has turned a corner and shown Australian football what is possible.
Analysis
analysis:Why Sydney FC's gritty championship win was just reward for a season of suffering
It was an ugly, dogged struggle, but within that fight Sydney FC showed why they've become the A-League Women's greatest team.
Sydney FC claim A-League Women championship after defeat of Melbourne City
Sydney FC have weathered a Melbourne City storm to snatch a 1-0 win and defend their championship title in the A-League Women.
'Project ACL' launched to address knee injury epidemic in women's football
Women athletes are two to six times more likely than men to suffer from a season-ending ACL injury. Football's global union wants to figure out why and what clubs can do about it.
Analysis
analysis:A-League Women Semifinal Round-Up: City flex their muscles as Mackenzie Hawkesby saves Sydney
The regular-season premiers return to the big dance for the first time since 2020, while the competition's most consistent grand finalists made history the hard way.
Analysis
analysis:A-League Women Semifinal Round-Up: Sydney bounces back as Newcastle sets an unexpected record
In the first leg of the inaugural two-legged semifinal, one game is teetering on a knife-edge while another is over almost over before it began. Here are the five main talking-points.
Analysis
analysis:A-League Women Round-Up: Newcastle Jets make history as a former Matilda haunts old side
Box-office strikers, bonus football, a dramatic penalty shootout, and some good old-fashioned revenge — the A-League Women elimination final delivers all the chaos we know and love.
Pair of long-range strikes give injury-hit Matildas 2-0 win over Mexico in Texas
Goals to Matildas veterans Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord help the team overcome their injury crisis and notch a 2-0 win over Mexico.
Analysis
analysis:Matildas' growing injury list exposes shallow pool of players to draw from
The Matildas have been torn apart by injury ahead of their Mexico friendly. It begs the question: How will they survive the Olympics?