SheGulls were invited down to the Elite Performance Centre last week to speak with some of our players about the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final. In this edition Australian defender Charlie Rule gives us the her thoughts ahead of this incredible event:

Duncan Price: Growing up in Australia, was it always a dream to play abroad for trophies like the FA Cup or did things just progress naturally through your career?

Charlie Rule: Yeah, I always wanted to play in England, like that was the dream. I didn’t think it would come this soon in my career, but when I got the opportunity, it was something I really wanted to do, come over here and play fora big club like this. At Sydney, we won a couple years in a row, so it was known to be winning and be in contention for winning, so coming to Brighton, it was a bit different, but I knew the club was very ambitious, and it was always what we strive for to go for trophies. We’ve fallen short the past couple years I’ve been here, so this year, it’s been amazing. The FA Cup run I’ve heard from all the English girls in the team what it means, the FA Cup in this country, and it’s really special just to play at Wembley is a dream. We’re really looking forward to it. And as many Albion fans there we can get is gonna be unbelievable, yeah, I think it’s gonna be a great day, and we’re all looking forward to it.

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DP: In terms of coming from Australia, it must have been quite tough at times because you came over and played a few games and then suffered a long-term injury. Do moments like playing in an FA Cup final make it all worth it?

CR: Yeah, it does. It was really tough last season. I didn’t get to play much because of injury and I feel really proud of myself to have played a lot of this season and played a part in a special season as well to get to the FA Cup final. Playing as many minutes as I am at the moment is tough as well. It’s tough on the body, but we’re really looking forward to the day. It does make it worth it, knowing that we could win a trophy and it be the first for the club’s history, it’s such a nice feeling.

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DP: Playing in recent cup competitions with Australia, do you think that gives you a little bit of a benefit going into a one-off game like this? You’ve kind of been there and done that already?

CR: Yeah, I was in a final not too long ago, so I feel like these games are big, it’s a bit more nerves, a bit more excitement, because there’s a lot more to play for and everyone watching as well. So, yeah, being a part of that experience definitely has prepared me for this one coming up, and I’ll use everything I learned from that experience. Hopefully we can win this one, because we fell short at the Asian Cup, but second time lucky, hopefully.

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DP: Generally speaking, you’re playing as a defender. What do you think will be the key element to stopping Manchester City’s attack and keeping them quiet?

CR: They’ve got quality all over the pitch. Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp, some unbelievable players that we’ll come up against, but we’ve got two weeks to prepare for them. We played them recently in a game, which we did well in, and we know everything that they’re gonna bring, so when the day comes, we’re gonna be prepared, and know what we have to do. I think it’ll be important to put up a good fight, be strong in our battles, and I think everyone’s just gonna bring their best and best energy. It’s a day that we’re all looking forward to.

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DP: Do you allow yourself to think about winning, or do you have to put that out of your mind until it happens?

CR: No, I’ve definitely thought about it. I was driving in the car the other day, and I drove over a bridge, and it just popped in my head, like the final whistle blowing and us winning, and that was just random. It just came to me and it was a special feeling, and I really feel like it’s high potential, so it’s nice to visualise it and see it. I think when the day comes, I’m not gonna think about anything but the job that we have to do. When I walk over the line, it will just be football, but I think the build-up is special, and we’re going to win. Like, that’s all we’re going for. So we’re gonna think about it, and the buildup is just nice.

We want to thank Charlie and the club for their time and assistance.

Now let’s go and win the FA Cup on Sunday! Up the Albion!