Sam Kerr knocks down pitch invader with hip and shoulder combo in Chelsea's match against Juventus

Chelsea sits top of its group ladder after its 0-0 draw with Juventus in the UEFA Women's Champions League on Thursday morning (AEST), but the hip and shoulder combination by Kerr gained the most attention across social media, with offers from AFLW teams and comparisons to cricketer Andrew Symond's knock being sent Kerr's way.

A man ran onto the pitch minutes before the final whistle at Kingsmeadow Stadium and approached various players before Kerr stepped in. The move earned her a yellow card and another title under her belt from Australians - a hero.

Pitch invaders are another byproduct of the growing profile of the women's game worldwide, but concerns have been raised about the risk to player safety and future security protocols to prevent it.

Security protocols will become an increasing part of the game, after the Matildas recorded a record attendance last month in Sydney with 36,109 fans watching them take on the United States.

Prior to Australia's 3-0 loss to the US, fullback Steph Catley - who has been with the national side since her debut in 2012 - confirmed the side's growing profile back home.

"Since I came into the Matildas, it's night and day," she said.

"The amount of people that will pass, and they say 'good luck' and they recognise who you are, they want a photo, they want to talk about the game, it's so different. It just shows how far we've come as a team, and how much the public enjoy watching us.

"We've had lots of people come up to us ... and know so many details about where we're playing individually at a club level. That just shows how far the game's come."

In the same vein, the Matildas returned to their clubs and four players - Kerr, Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams - were greeted by 40,942 fans at Wembley for the FA Cup final last weekend.

Kerr scored a brace, and took home player of the match, before lifting the trophy with her teammates to make history.