CommBank Matildas and A-Leagues legend Clare Polkinghorne has announced her international retirement, after 167 appearances in green and gold over a decorated 18-year spell.
Polkinghorne has represented Australia at five FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Olympic Games, and was part of the 2010 squad that won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The veteran defender retires from international football as the most-capped Matilda of all-time – and is set to add one final cap to her record when the Matildas take on Brazil in her home state of Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on November 28.
It’s only fitting that Polkinghorne’s international career comes to its conclusion in Brisbane, where she became a Ninja A-League icon at Brisbane Roar. Polkinghorne made 152 appearances for her hometown club – an all-time club record.
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Upon the confirmation of her international retirement, Polkinghorne bid an emotional farewell to her teammates as she looked back on her near-two-decade stint in green and gold.
“It’ll take a while for me to process everything that’s happened in my career, and all things that I’ve been a part of,” Polkinghorne said.
“It’s been a special 18 and a half years in the Matildas’ jersey, and it’s something that I’m incredibly proud of. I’m just really thankful that I got the opportunity to do what I love for so long and to represent this great team for so long.”
“It’s going to be a massive change for me,” she added. “This team has been a massive part of my life, and it’s going to be different to not be a part of it.
“There are going to be so many things I miss… being a professional athlete and being a Matilda, but mostly, I’ll miss the relationships that I’ve built along the way and the experiences I’ve had with teammates and staff.
“It’s going to be all those ‘in-between’ moments that I’m going to miss the most as a footballer.”
“It’s really special to be able to play one last game in Brisbane, in front of my family and my friends, and in front of all the people who have supported me along the way,” Polkinghorne continued.
“It all started in Brisbane when I was four or five years old, so it’s really special to be able to finish off my career there and play in a stadium that is really special to me, and also now really special to a lot of Matildas’ fans [after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup].
“I’m really excited to play in Brisbane one last time, and finish it off where it all began.”
As one chapter closes in the life of an Australian footballing great, another begins as Polkinghorne pondered what the future may hold,
“I’m really excited about the next part of my life,” she said.
“I love this game, and I have played my whole life, so it’s going to be really important that I’m still involved in the game.
“It has given me so much so I’d really like to be able to give back in some way. I love working towards things. I love working with people and in a team.
“So I think coaching is the natural profession for me and something that I’m really excited about challenging myself with.”
