She is the defensive stalwart for the sporting team that has become Australia’s darling, yet after 18 years with the Matildas, Clare Polkinghorne has a clear-cut view of retirement: “I’ll definitely need a job.

Clare Polkinghorne couldn’t help but grin at the prospect of her Matildas send-off game coming against familiar foes Brazil. Australia have an 11-2-8 record against Brazil, with four wins, one draw and two losses on home soil. They have also registered memorable wins, and losses, against As Canarinhas, the Paris Olympic silver medallists.

Retiring Australian football great Clare Polkinghorne admits her Matildas send-off match won't fully sink in until she steps onto the Lang Park pitch for the final time.

The “team first” attitude that has been the mantra of Clare Polkinghorne’s entire Matildas career is again evident ahead of the retiring veteran’s farewell match on Thursday night against Brazil in Brisbane.