Kim Carroll stepped out onto the field in the Liberty A-League for the final time in a story she “couldn’t write myself”.
Perth Glory and the A-Leagues farewelled a legend as Carroll made her 159th and final appearance in a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
A two-time Liberty A-League champion, the 35-year-old defender ensured Perth ended the 2022-23 campaign with a victory after their finals hopes were dashed by Wellington Phoenix’s failure to beat Melbourne Victory in a 2-2 draw.
It was a day of mixed emotions for the 54-time Australia international, who overcame two knee reconstructions to establish herself as one the country’s finest defenders.
“It started to slowly sink in before the game,” Carroll told Dub Zone post-match.
“A few mixed emotions before the game. But more importantly, I just wanted us to finish with a win and the season on a high.
“We did that after three games in a week, so super proud of the girls.”
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Carroll’s career has been one of longevity and she added: “At 35 years of age and two knee reconstructions, I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to have a career this long.
“I’m thankful for my body holding up and having maybe some genes, and keeping up with the young ones.”
Both of her Championships and the one Premiership all came during her time with Brisbane Roar.
So, it was fitting Carroll’s career came to an end at Perry Park in Brisbane.
“I story I couldn’t write myself, ending in Brisbane,” she said.
Two clubs I really hold dear to my heart. Brisbane was obviously my home state I played for but Perth has become that. It was awesome to finish this way.”
Report – AAP
Perth Glory farewelled Kim Carroll in style, with the retiring defender enjoying a 1-0 win over Brisbane in her final match.
Glory’s finals hopes were ended even before kick-off after last-placed Wellington Phoenix failed to beat fourth-placed Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
That match finished 2-2, and it meant Perth could only finish fifth at best.
But Glory still had plenty to play for at Perry Park in Brisbane on Saturday given it was Carroll’s send-off.
Perth’s players lifted for the occasion, producing a fighting display in the second half to ensure the 35-year-old went out a winner.
Gabriella Coleman scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, with her glancing header at the near post from a Hana Lowry corner proving the difference.
Glory had to produce a series of Herculean defensive efforts from that point on to ensure Roar didn’t equalise.
Lowry and Demi Koulizakis both produced goal-line clearances, while captain Natasha Rigby limped off in the dying minutes after bravely putting her body on the line in a bid to win possession.
The efforts were all greatly appreciated by Carroll, who was full of smiles after the match as she hugged her elated teammates.
The first half lacked highlights, but Coleman was left kicking herself when she found herself one-on-one against the goalkeeper in the 40th minute but could only get a fluffed left-foot strike away.
Things spiced up after the break, with Coleman venting her fury after Roar defender Holly McQueen lashed out at her following a tackle.
Roar striker Shea Connors looked threatening all game, and she almost broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a floating long-range strike that bounced off the upright.
Brisbane had a series of corners following Coleman’s goal, but they couldn’t find a way past Glory’s brick-wall defence.
