Lydia Williams may have played her final minutes for the Matildas after booking her ticket to Paris yet missing the cut-off in coach Tony Gustavvson's 18-player Olympic squad.
The veteran keeper was honoured with an emotional farewell from home fans after taking her spot between the goals in the opening half of the Matildas final Olympic preparation match in Sydney on Monday night - a 2-nil win over China.
On Tuesday morning, Williams was selected as one of four travelling reserves, missing out to first choice goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and Teagan Micah as back-up in the officially named team.
Williams has played limited minutes in recent years, with Arnold holding her spot in the position as successor and regular pick.
The 36-year-old announced her future retirement from international football following the end of the upcoming Olympics last month.
As a travelling reserve, it's understood Williams will not stay with the team in the Olympic village, however can be called-up to the side as a genuine injury or withdrawal replacement through the tournament.
It casts a level of doubt over her chances of pulling on the gloves and adding to her 100-plus caps for the national side.
The Noongar champion had previously competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic games.
Speaking after Monday's farewell ceremony, she said the night was a rare opportunity to soak it all in in front of a 75,000-plus Stadium Australia crowd.
"It was probably the first time that I've really allowed myself to soak in the atmosphere and let myself feel it all," Williams said post-match.
Despite Gustavvson indicating the selected Olympic team knew of their spot in the sides, Williams was tight-lipped about whether she had made the cut.
On announcing the squad, the Matildas coach said it was a difficult job to finalise the side.
"This has been an incredibly challenging squad to select with so many quality players competing fiercely for limited spots," Gustavsson said.
"It has been a methodical process over the past couple of years to reach to this point, and each of the players selected bring unique and beneficial qualities to our team that will be vital for our Paris 2024 campaign.
"I would like to congratulate all the players selected and the teammates, coaches, family and friends that have brought them to this moment. I know that this team will give everything for the coat of arms and will represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Aussie way."
PNG-Australian star Mary Fowler heads to her second Olympic games as one of four midfield-forward selections.
Internationally uncapped up-and-coming Indigenous goalkeeper Jada Whyman was left out after consistent opportunities to travel with Matildas squads in recent campaigns.
Matildas selected Olympic team: Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Ellie Carpenter (vc), Steph Catley (c), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Teagan Micah (GK), Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond (vc), Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop.
Resevres: Lydia Williams (GK), Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin.
