Brilliant attacker McNamara, 22, was on Tuesday named in Australia's squad for the SheBelieves Cup later this month, her first call-up since returning from a third ACL tear, suffered in November 2023.
A day later, McNamara scored a first-half hat-trick to lead unbeaten A-League Women leaders City to a 5-1 smashing of Western United at Casey Fields.
"For me, it was kind of a dream come true to get back in there, and I feel like it's the right time for me to push to make that," McNamara told AAP.
"I'm very lucky and I'm very grateful.
"It was pretty emotional telling family and friends. Definitely emotional, because it's been a hard road for me, but it's been those people that have gotten me through."
McNamara, who has three caps from early 2022, is raring to take her opportunities if they come against Japan, the United States and Colombia, later this month.
"It's good timing, and hopefully I can keep pushing and keep making those strides," she said.
"When you can verse people like that, it's always a dream come true. You kind of look up to those teams as a kid, so it will be amazing."
A HAT-TRICK FOR HOLLY MCNAMARA! �🪄— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) @TheMatildas forward bags three goals in just 38 minutes. She just doesn't miss 🙌📺 Watch #MCYvWUN live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play pic.twitter.com/z1jZ7v2j6WFebruary 5, 2025
McNamara scored in the third minute, latching onto a wonderful Rhianna Pollicina through ball, and burying the rebound after Chloe Lincoln saved her initial strike.
Western United skipper Chloe Logarzo, who was overlooked for the Matildas, equalised with a wonderful long-range strike in the 26th.
That is some strike from distance!! 😮�💨🔥 CommBank Matildas star Chloe Logarzo gets on the scoresheet with an absolute cracker. — Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) @wufcofficial are back in it! 🟢⚫�📺 Watch #MCYvWUN live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play pic.twitter.com/10QkpJ58ZfFebruary 5, 2025
But McNamara tapped home after a superb Lourdes Bosch run and assist in the 36th minute to restore City's lead.
She completed her hat-trick after pouncing on a Pollicina through ball to score with a wonderful chip two minutes later, before being substituted with cramp in the 57th minute.
"It does feel pretty special," McNamara said of the hat-trick.
"It's a lot of credit to my teammates and the work they do. I was just lucky to be on the end of them.
"I'm starting to get back into it. It's a long road. It's starting to feel a bit easier and a bit fitter every week."
McNamara now has six goals for the season, plus an assist, while City sit five points clear of second-placed Melbourne Victory.
Pollicina added a fourth in the 59th minute, before Bosch completed the rout in the 71st, ensuring City's first ever win over their crosstown rivals.
But there were concerns over United midfielder Melissa Taranto, who suffered a potentially serious left knee injury in the build-up to Pollicina's goal.
City travel to face Newcastle on Saturday while sixth-placed United play Sydney FC away on Sunday.
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