Tears flow as Polks gets Matildas farewell in Brisbane
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne was farewelled with an emotional and inspirational presentation before she captained the side in a friendly against Brazil.
It was at Suncorp Stadium, her house, that the 35-year-old played her 168th game for Australia in a 3-1 loss on Thursday.
Also fitting was the moment when the great Darren Lockyer, who famously played the last of his 355 NRL games at the Brisbane venue, presented Polkinghorne with a framed commemorative jersey.
It was a case of one Queensland legend acknowledging another.
Matildas players and family members formed a guard of honour as Polkinghorne entered the arena and picked up her wide-eyed infant niece. When a career tribute was shown on the big screen the Matildas central defender and her teammates wiped away tears.
The 2010 Asian Cup winner gave a short speech, explaining how the Matildas had meant “everything” to her since her national debut in 2006.
Polkinghorne is what many Queenslanders aspire to be. Understated, durable, reliable, successful, team-first and respected by all.
The Matildas players had earlier warmed up with each having the No.4 and ‘Polks’ emblazoned on the back of their training shirts.
On the front of the shirt was a montage of Polkinghorne in action for the Matildas.
The physical and spiteful clash didn’t start the way Polkinghorne or Australia wanted with Brazil scoring two early goals due to sloppy defending.
The two-time A-League Women title winner was substituted in the 62nd minute to a standing ovation.
Polkinghorne’s teammate and fellow Queenslander Tameka Yallop said the three-time Olympian and veteran of five World Cup campaigns had left an indelible mark on the side.
“Clare is a legend of the Matildas, football in Australia and the Brisbane Roar as well,” Yallop said.
“She is definitely the epitome of the Matildas and will never say die. I think she has been a big part of instilling that attitude in the young girls coming through in the team.
“I think she has done an amazing job passing on her wisdom and the aim now is to keep going with what Polks has been able to achieve.”
The clash in Brisbane is not necessarily Polkinghorne’s last in Matildas colours as she will remain with the squad for the three remaining home fixtures in this international window.
Polkinghorne didn’t go out a winner in front of 47,501 admiring fans at Suncorp Stadium, but she was already a certified winner long before.
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