Canberra United striker Michelle Heyman wants to use this summer to make the Matildas No.9 jersey her own for next year's World Cup in Canada and to win the W-League Golden Boot on the way.
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Heyman backed Monday's appointment of Alen Stajcic as Matildas coach until the end of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, pointing out he had taken the team to the final of the Asian Cup in May as caretaker coach.
The 26-year-old Heyman has returned from an off-season in the US, where she trained with National Women's Soccer League club the Houston Dash, and she is as fit as she has ever been.
She did not play while in Houston, she just trained, and now feels she has added extra pace to her game as a result.
Heyman is determined to establish herself as Australia's premier striker and fulfil her World Cup dream in June. She missed out on the Matildas squad in 2011.
"[I want] to make sure I'm definitely within the squad and hopefully starting as the No.9," she said on Monday. "My goal this year, through W-League, is to show [Stajcic] that I'm capable and that I think I can be the best person for that role.
"This is the biggest year for any female soccer player at the moment. Everyone's fighting for a position, and to have a good season through W-League hopefully can lead into a great World Cup campaign."
Heyman thought Stajcic was the best option for the job back in May, and still thinks he is one of the best coaches in Australia.
She did not think the Matildas coach needed to be a woman, just whoever was the best person for the job regardless of their gender.
The United striker said Stajcic was able to understand all the players in his squad, both on and off the field.
Stajcic, who coaches Sydney FC in the W-League, led the Matildas to the Asian Cup final against Japan, despite having limited time to prepare after the sacking of Hesterine de Reus less than a month before the competition began.
"He definitely deserves the position and he's one of the best coaches we have in Australia, so why not give it to him and let him have a go?" Heyman said.
"We did well in Asian Cup, we were unlucky to lose to Japan in the final ... but we've played really good football underneath him and he only had a couple of weeks with us before taking us to the Asian Cup.
"He understands us all as players – off the field as well."
Heyman was confident Canberra United could take an extra step in the W-League and make the grand final in December.
They will play Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park on Sunday.
