Sam Kerr's rallying call for locked-down Aussies as Chelsea stumble in WSL season-opener

Sam Kerr Matildas

Matildas star Sam Kerr has urged Australians stuck in lockdowns to stay positive and get vaccinated. 

The Chelsea attacker started the new Women's Super League season as a substitute on Sunday as the Blues suffered a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates. 

Kerr has been living in London for the past two years and is herself no stranger to lockdowns as a result of COVID-19. 

Currently enjoying greater freedoms in England, the Matildas star sent a quick message to Australians stuck in lockdown to keep their heads up with light at the end of the tunnel for most with vaccination rates now rising. 

"There will be an end to it. It's hard. We were here for over a year in lockdown and Aussies the same so just keep positive," Kerr told Optus Sport

"Get on the Zoom calls with your mates, but also go get vaccinated. Get yourself a cat, get vaccinated and let's go."

Kerr claimed the WSL title last season with Chelsea but the Blues started the new campaign with defeat against a Gunners side boasting two Aussies on their bench. 

Kerr also started the match among the substitutes before being brought on early in the second half but was unable to find an equaliser. 

Despite the result, the Chelsea forward was quick to put the loss in perspective and is relishing the challenge of a title defence this season. 

"We love that challenge. Every time a team plays us, they're playing their best game and we know that," Kerr said. 

"It's hard to come away from home against these top teams and win. So to score two goals here it's a positive but we think can do better. At the end of the day, it's one game in a long, long season.

"This is my first time playing at the Emirates so it was a good experience other than the loss." 

Chelsea next face Everton in the league on Sunday night with a Women's FA Cup quarter-final clash against Birmingham City also looming at the end of the month. 

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