With the Westfield Matildas riding a huge wave of support across Australia and the world, this week we look at three women who were integral in building the team's success and culture over the last couple of decades.

Cheryl Salisbury

The former Matildas captain is a true Australian football legend.

The central defender is the highest-capped Australian footballer of all time, appearing 151 times for her country between 1994 and 2009 and attending four World Cups (two as captain) and two Olympic Games, scoring 38 goals.

Earlier this month she was awarded Professional Footballers Australia's highest honour, the Alex Tobin Medal, which recognises footballers who have demonstrated leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to their fellow professionals and service and dedication to the game.

Julie Murray

The attacker debuted for Australia at the age of 15 and went on to play 67 internationals, scoring 19 goals.

Murray was the first Australian female footballer to play professionally overseas with Danish First Division side Fortuna Hjorring in 1990 and later won a WUSA Professional Women's Soccer League Championship with the Bay Area Cyberrarys.

She attended two World Cups as well as representing Australia on home soil at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Was referred to at the time as the "Harry Kewell of the women's game".

Kate Gill

The list of accomplishments for Kate Gill is an impressive one - she played in three Asian Cups and one World Cup, was the first Australian woman to win Asian player of the year and twice claimed the W-League Golden Boot.

A prolific scorer, the tall central striker's 41 international goals were a record for the Westfield Matildas until Lisa De Vanna went past her earlier this year.

Now retired, she has stayed heavily involved in football, advocating for the women's game through the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia.