The Matildas' dream run through the FIFA World Cup ended on Wednesday night in a 3-1 defeat to England at Sydney's Stadium Australia.
Any remaining doubt about the players' place as household names quickly faded through their campaign into the semi-finals of the tournament on home soil.
The early absence of frontline star Sam Kerr gave place for 20-year-old Mary Fowler to take centre stage through the Matildas six games as hosts.
Her profile grew massively in Australia, but was full of heart in Papua New Guinea, the birthplace of her mother Nido.
The small community of Kita Kita, just outside of the capital Port Moresby, became the centre of national pride for Fowler.
Banners adorned the streets while friends and family celebrated their girl's and the Matildas' successes.
Prior to their nail biting quarter final win over France, Fowler's uncle Rabura Geita told ABC Pacific "because of my niece, the whole village is involved and participating in watching the Matildas games".
"In all the houses, they have flat screens. The whole village is involved in supporting Mary."
He said the excitement has sparked a new interest in the sport with boys and girls asking their parents to buy soccer balls.
PNG has long been a rugby league-mad nation. Fowler's starring role in the Australian side has made an emotional impact across the Arafura Sea.
Mr Geita said the football ability likely stems from her Irish father.
Fowler made her appreciation known in a post to Instagram.
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A post shared by Maz (@maryfowlerrr)
Fowler came into the semi final off a strong tournament headlining much of Australia's attack towards goal.
She scored against Canada to help seal qualification to the round of sixteen 16, though her defining moment came with a long-range pass to help Caitlin Foord score Australia's second goal against Denmark on their way to the quarter finals.
A goal you could literally watch over and over again 🤤
Mary Fowler's ball. Caitlin Foord's finish. Sooooo good.
Post-game coverage | https://t.co/6ZgG81Rssi#FIFAWWC #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/xtDHz6eyBg
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 7, 2023
It wasn't her first world cup - Fowler travelled with the group to the 2019 World Cup in France a year after making her international debut at age 15.
By 18 she had pulled on the green and gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and was truely establishing herself in European club competition.
Mid-way through this year's World Cup, her popularity grew with the endearing admission that her signature on-field gloves are only worn because she likes to fidget with them.
"I haven't told anyone yet what it was, but it's a bit silly," she told Optus Sport.
"I honestly just like gloves because I get really fidgety. So usually I train with a ring on but if it's cold I wear gloves and I can't wear a ring in a match so I usually wear gloves.
"I just move them around a lot."
Fowler moved to Manchester City in England's Women's Super League in 2022 after three years with fellow women's football powerhouse Montpellier in France's Division 1 Féminine.
Following Wednesday's loss to England, Fowler said the support homes fans was something special.
"Not many people get to experience that in their life being able to play at home or cup and really feel the support of the country behind them. It's something that we're all very lucky to be part of," she told Football Australia media.
The Matilda's play Sweeden in the third place playoff on Saturday.
Mr Geita said back at home in PNG, plenty of people "are talking about Mary".
