Driven by the heartbreak of missing Olympics selection and her most challenging year in football yet, Matildas defender Charli Grant is ready to make up for lost time.
The dashing full-back had been a mainstay of previous Matildas squads but was left out of Australia's 18-player squad for the Paris Games.
Though she travelled as a reserve player, Grant did not take the field.
"It was heartbreaking to not be put in that squad," Grant told AAP.
"But in saying that I still feel very grateful to have been part of that whole squad together; to be travelling with the team and to be part of that experience.
"But it was really hard to be so close but so far away from that team, especially after feeling like I had cemented a spot maybe the year prior."
Missing Olympics selection compounded minimal game time at club level with Tottenham.
"It's been a really difficult year. I would probably say it's probably been my hardest year of football yet," Grant said.
"It's been an amazing opportunity to play in the WSL. I've loved having that opportunity.
"But along with that, it (the year) has had its challenges, both in the national team and at club.
"But it's really helped me build myself as a player and as a person."
Grant, 23, is stuck behind two of Australia's greatest full-backs: left-back Steph Catley and right-back Ellie Carpenter, but has consistently deputised with aplomb.
Carpenter is missing upcoming games against Argentina for personal reasons, while Catley, who is also spending more time at centre-back, is likely to have limited involvement in Friday's clash at Marvel Stadium.
Dashing defender Grant is ready to step up, especially with Joe Montemurro expected to be announced as Australia's next coach after the international window.
"It's definitely a good opportunity for us to cement a spot in our position and show that we want to be part of that team with the new coach," she said.
Nine months out from the Asian Cup, Grant has plenty of fire in the belly.
"When you do miss out on things, it just gives you that fire and that drive to prove them wrong, and to show that you are capable, and that you do deserve that opportunity," she said.
"In a way, you've just got to turn it into a positive and just use it as energy to make yourself better.
"All the tournaments I've been a part of, I've fallen short in the goals I've set for myself in the game time that I wanted.
"This Asian Cup I'll definitely be working towards trying to just be part of the squad. But to break into that starting line-up - that is a goal of mine."
Having seen Tottenham's men's coach Ange Postecoglou lift the Europa League and Matildas trio Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross win the Women's Champions League, Grant has silverware on the mind.
"It definitely does motivate you to win something," she said.
"You want to be part of something big, and you want to achieve something like that."
