Emotional Matildas stars tear up as they pay tribute to retiring captain Clare Polkinghorne ahead of swansong vs Brazil

The Suncorp Stadium let out a huge roar for Clare Polkinghorne on Thursday night as the retiring Matildas legend led her side out onto the Brisbane pitch for the final time. 

The 35-year-old is set to call time on her Matildas career following the international break, with tonight’s friendly against Brazil being her 168th appearance for Australia. 

The game adds to her astonishing appearance record, with the defensive stalwart the Matildas’ all-time leading appearance maker. 

Polkinghorne appeared moved by the reception, holding back the tears, as fans inside the stadium waved banners, with messages of thanks for her sensational career playing for Australia. 

She greeted several members of her family, before stepping up to the microphone to deliver a short pre-match message of thanks that appeared to move several of her team-mates to tears.

‘Just a few quick words from me, because we’ve got a game to get on with,’ the former Brisbane Roar star said. 

Her Matildas team-mates cut emotional figures as they fought back tears, as the stadium paid tribute to Australia’s retiring captain

It came ahead of Australia’s game against Brazil on Thursday afternoon, with Polkinghorne’s team-mates paying tribute to the departing legend ahead of kick-off 

‘It’s so special for me to be here and celebrate in front of my home fans, in a city I grew up in and in a stadium I absolutely love.

‘This team has been everything to me. It’s been a hell of a journey. And I’m very thankful for everything everyone has done along the way. 

‘Thank you very much, and let’s get on with it,’ she added. 

The legendary No 4 was also presented with a framed Matildas jersey that appeared to have been signed by several of her team-mates. 

Polkinghorne made her Matilda’s debut back in 2006 and has yielded 16 goals during that time, playing in the 2007 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and was an unused squad member at the 2015 World Cup.

She has also been selected to represent Australia at three Olympic Games. 

Ahead of tonight’s match, Polkinghorne spoke of how much it meant to her to represent her country one last time in her home city of Brisbane. 

Polkinghorn delivered a short speech before the match, stating: ‘This team has been everything to me. It’s been a hell of a journey. And I’m very thankful for everything everyone has done’

Tonight’s fixture was Polkinghorne’s 168th international appearance for the Australian side  

Ahead of the match she had admitted how ‘special’ it was for her to play for the Matildas one last time in Brisbane

‘Obviously, it’s really special for me to be able to come back to Brisbane and play one last game in the city that I grew up in, in the stadium that means so much to me, and in front of my family and friends and all the people that have helped me along my journey who I wouldn’t be here without today,’ she said.

‘So an opportunity, for me to thank them for everything that they did in my career, and just really special to be able to play one last game.’

But she added that it may take some time to sink in that this will be her final Matildas appearance at the Suncorp. 

‘I don’t think it will quite hit me until after,’ she added. 

More to follow…