A-League of their own: Gallagher backing Crummer's code switch

Sheridan Gallagher can't stop scoring and Newcastle’s put down specialist hopes her unique journey from football to rugby league inspires others to do the same.

The 22-year-old plays two elite sports in two very different ways, kicking goals in one and scoring tries in the other, with her calendar split between the NRLW and A-League Women’s seasons.

While the switch from football to rugby league isn't common, Gallagher isn’t alone, with former Matilda Larissa Crummer now running out on the wing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the QRL's BMD Premiership.

Crummer, who has a touch football background, made 33 appearances for the Matildas during her soccer career and, at 29, the former A-League Golden Boot winner is now writing a new chapter in a different code.

Known for her speed on the football pitch, Crummer has notched five tries in her first four appearances, and it may not be long before she is in the sights of NRLW scouts.

“I think there are plenty of transferable skills," Gallagher told 42025.com.

"It’s probably not the same as league, but I think there’s a lot we can take across from soccer and bring that into the league environment to develop it and grow it as it comes."

After signing with the Knights in 2023, it didn’t take Gallagher long to find her rhythm in rugby league, scoring seven tries in her debut season and finishing as the club’s leading try scorer.

She backed that up in 2024, sitting at the top of the club’s tally for the second consecutive year, with nine tries in eight NRLW appearances.

Returning to the A-League for the 2024/25 season, Gallagher shared the Golden Boot award with Newcastle Jets teammate Deven Jackson, with the pair scoring six goals apiece.

“I couldn’t think of anywhere better to be, it’s home now for me, and I’m so lucky to call it home. I probably wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Gallagher said.

Despite the heavy workload, Gallagher has no plans to slow down.

She represented Australia with the Young Matildas, captained the side at the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, and made 21 A-League appearances for Western Sydney Wanderers.

Her decision to walk away from football at the height of her Young Matildas career to pursue rugby league was bold, but it has only highlighted her status as an elite dual-code athlete.

The tight turnaround between seasons has actually helped her fitness levels, and she believes her ability to manage both sports sends a strong message to others.

“It’s probably not one we see too often, but there are a few more girls coming across now,” she said.

“I think if I can help younger girls do the same thing and get on a career path that she wants to do, I think that would be pretty cool.”

Gallagher’s former Newcastle teammate Hannah Southwell, who has joined the Dragons this season, also spent time in the W-League, playing as goalkeeper for the Jets at just 15 years-of-age before returning to league.

It only took Gallagher two games into this year's campaign to open her account for the season, slicing down the wing to score against the Cowboys in Townsville as the Knights returned to winning form.

“It was cool to come up north and into the warmer weather, getting away from the cold at home and putting on a performance like that.”

Known for putting goals in the back of the net, Gallagher also has a reputation for her fiery playing style.

Last A-League season, she collected nine yellow cards and two reds, a stat she laughs about with her Knights teammates.