CJ had been waiting for the Matildas’ match for months. But given the events of the last few days it seemed to creep up on him.

He was originally going with his dad, but a couple of days ago, Benji’s dad, their dance group leader, had demanded an extra rehearsal. THAT SUCKED. It had been a while since CJ and his dad had done something fun together.

Luckily, Charlotte’s family were going too, and CJ’s dad had asked Mrs Alessi to take CJ. This had all happened before CJ and Charlotte had their little misunderstanding about the captaincy. But CJ couldn’t miss out on the Matildas. He’d never seen Sam Kerr live, only on telly. He had a feeling Australia’s star striker was going to turn it on, BIG TIME. CJ was pumped for a night of many backflip goal celebrations!

CJ turned up at Charlotte’s place just as her and the family – one brother and four sisters including the baby – started walking to the train station. As usual, Charlotte’s dad was working.

As they walked, Charlotte read a school textbook – which looked super boring – and she had a sleeping baby Sofia in one of those tummy brace things. She didn’t have a lot to say to CJ, except. ‘So, how’s your butt?’

CJ went red. ‘Good thanks.’

The truth was it wasn’t that good at all. The train ride was MEGA UNCOMFORTABLE. CJ found himself WRIGGLING in his seat unable to find a comfy position. The mother next to him muttered something about ‘WORMS’ and moved her family further down the carriage.

When they got to their seats inside the stadium there was some sort of mix-up. Charlotte’s family hadn’t bought one of the seats they thought they had. There was a large bearded guy plonked in one of them. He wouldn’t move. So CJ had to sit on the other side of him, separated from Charlotte and the Alessi family. The guy looked a bit like Santa, but the way he was taking up half of CJ’s seat didn’t show much Christmas spirit.

It wasn’t the worst result. At least he didn’t have to sit next to Charlotte. AWKWARD.

The view was EPIC. Third row. Western End. AAMI Park. Once the game started he forgot about everything. Even his BUTT. The Matildas were ON FIRE. Sam Kerr was every bit the SUPERSTAR he’d seen on TV. Thanks to her, every time the Matildas pushed forward they seemed dangerous. Late in the first half she scored a header off a cross from Lisa De Vanna. And yes, there was a backflip.

CJ jumped from his seat so he could try out his own moves. He squished his way out to the aisle and backflipped up the steps. Well, an ATTEMPTED backflip. It looked more like someone getting an electric shock midhandstand, but he still got a cheer from the nearby crowd. Just not from Charlotte. She simply shook her head and checked that baby Sofia was still sleeping through it all.

By half-time CJ was totally BUZZED. Eventually he couldn’t help but lean forward and yell across the bearded guy, over to Charlotte.

‘Pretty awesome, huh?’ called CJ.

‘Incredible!’ exclaimed Charlotte, grinning from ear to ear. ‘I can barely concentrate on my science homework. I planned to do it during this half-time break!’

‘Ha-ha! Yeah … Wait. We had science homework?’

Charlotte shook her head, but a hint of a smile remained on her lips. She leaned over to one of her sisters and CJ watched as they both mimed the last goal. Ending with both girls yelling, ‘GOOOOOOOAL!’ and a giggle fit.

CJ leaned in to yell ‘goal’ too when the bearded guy interrupted. ‘Hey kid, what is this? You’ve rediscovered your long-lost friend or something?’

‘Huh?’ This caught CJ off guard. Possibly because in some ways the big bearded dude was right.

‘You wanna sit next to her, do ya?’ asked the bearded guy.

‘Yeah, I wouldn’t mind –’

‘Well, buy the right ticket next time,’ he grunted. ‘As for now, sit back down and stop squashing me.’

‘Sorry.’

The Matildas came out just as strong in the second half. Kyah Simon scored from a corner kick early on. The ball grazed the underside of the crossbar and snuck through. Then, in the seventieth minute, Sam Kerr unleashed a long shot from well outside the square that sailed right over everyone’s head and straight into the back of the net. It never looked like missing. ANOTHER BACKFLIP (not from CJ this time).

Charlotte and CJ both gave a standing ovation. Charlotte even did a little happy dance. CJ had NEVER seen her do ANYTHING like this before. Not for years anyway. She looked almost … relaxed. Definitely happy. That made CJ happy too.

Charlotte caught him looking, so CJ held out his hand. They high-fived directly over the bearded guy’s head. He started to complain but a chant caught on around the ground, KERR-RIFIC! KERR-RIFIC! KERR-RIFIC!

After the match, a reporter interviewed Sam Kerr. The crowd watched on the big screen.

‘Sam, are you the secret to the Matildas’ success?’

Sam Kerr laughed. ‘No way. There’s no secret. We just pull together, try to use everyone’s different skills and face every challenge as a team.’

The reporter finished by yelling, ‘Let’s hear it for the Matildas!’

The crowd went wild. If there was one thing CJ loved just as much as playing football, it was football celebrations. He sang, he danced and he clapped till his fingers were as red as his butt. These moments made his BRAIN FIZZ OVER with joy.

It was SUCH A SHAME that baby Sofia sneezed into the grumpy guy’s beard as they left their seats. Such a shame because she didn’t do it twice!

On the train ride home, CJ plonked himself down beside Charlotte, who was busy knitting baby Sofia some green and gold booties to go with her beanie. ‘Man, some team, huh?’

‘Smartest thing you’ve said all day,’ said Charlotte. ‘Sam Kerr’s a star.’

‘She’s Kerr-rific.’

It was a bad joke, but Charlotte couldn’t help crack a smile.

‘I liked what she said at the end of the match,’ said CJ.

‘Surprised you could hear her with all your celebrating.’

‘No, I heard her. She said that the Matildas work together, use each other’s different skills and face challenges as a team. Or something like that.’

‘You can tell by the way they play.’

‘Definitely. And I reckon that’s what we should do.’

‘We?’ asked Charlotte, wide-eyed with surprise.

‘Yeah. I still want to be a Jet. We’ve all been thrown together but who knows, maybe it’ll work … if we face it as a team,’ said CJ.

‘Really?’

‘Yep. Deadset. I love my football as much as anyone. I eat, sleep and poop football.’

‘I think you mean breathe football but whatever,’ said Charlotte. ‘What about the whole if-I-can’t-be-captain-I’m-quitting thing?’

‘You heard that?’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘Joking! Totally joking, of course,’ said CJ. ‘Look, I promise I’ll forget about the captain stuff for now and focus on the team. Y’know, working together.’

Charlotte smiled. ‘Who are you? And what have you done with the real CJ?’

‘Maybe it’s the butt pain talking.’

‘Well, Highpants has our first proper practice scheduled for lunchtime tomorrow. Can I assume you’ll be there?’ asked Charlotte.

‘Try and stop me!’ said CJ. ‘We’ll all be doing backflips by the end of our first game.’

‘Hope so. And you’ll bring this new attitude?’

CJ grinned. ‘Well that’s a fifty-fifty chance to be honest.’

‘You better. We’ve only got one day to pull it all together before our first game. I just hope we can make it work.’