Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne pumped for emotional Brisbane send-off after 167 international caps in decorated football career

Retired Australian footballer Clare Polkinghorne admits her farewell match against Matildas will not fully sink in until she steps onto the Suncorp Stadium pitch for the final time.

The modest Australian matches record holder – for both senior national teams – will play in front of her home crowd in Brisbane one last time in the friendly against Brazil on Thursday evening.

Centre-back Polkinghorne, 35, has 167 caps and 16 goals in more than 18 years with Australia since his debut in 2006.

“It’s obviously very special for me to be able to come back to Brisbane and play one last game in the city I grew up in, in the stadium that means so much to me, and in the presence of my family and friends. and all the people who have helped me on my journey and without whom I would not be here today,” she said.

“So a chance for me to thank them for everything they’ve done in my career, and just really special to be able to play one last game.”

It appears Polkinghorne will start and then be substituted so the crowd can celebrate her, although she will leave the decision on her involvement to interim coach Tom Sermanni.

“I don’t think it will really hit me until after that,” she said.

“The focus for me next week is just to enjoy the last few games… just absorb as much as I can and just enjoy every moment of it.”

Since her debut in 2006, Polkinghorne has earned 167 international caps (photo, during the 2023 World Cup)

When asked about Polkinghorne’s role, Sermanni joked “well, she’s not playing” before paying tribute.

“It’s a very special evening,” he said.

“It’s not often that in top sport that a player and an athlete can go out on their own terms and in such special circumstances, but if there’s anyone who deserves it, it’s Polks.

“We use the word legend very loosely these days, but I think it describes her. She is not only a fixture within the team on the field, but also off it.

‘People talk about the team player. She has been the absolute team player. I know from my time in charge that she will play anywhere, anytime. And she just did it with aplomb, shall we say?

‘It will be a fantastic evening and a great way to end a fantastic career.’

Polkinghorne relished the chance to play her final minutes under Sermanni.

“It’s where my career started, under Tommy’s leadership,” she said.

‘And that’s why it’s very special that he’s there at the end.’

Polkinghorne was confident she left the Matildas in a good place and wants to move into coaching.

“Football has given me so much in my life,” she said.

“It’s really important to me that I can give something back and continue to help the game grow and help the players grow, and hopefully pass on a little bit of my experience and knowledge to the next few players that come forward.”

Then she joked, “But I definitely need a job.”

While many of Australia’s European players arrived late to camp, Sermanni will field his ‘strongest team possible’ and play off an ankle injury to forward Michelle Heyman.

Australia are without the injured Katrina Gorry, Clare Wheeler and Hana Lowry, while Mary Fowler and Cortnee Vine are unavailable (personal reasons).