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.

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.

Nothing sums up the toughness of retiring Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne quite like the day she almost got knocked out by her coach at training and didn’t even flinch.

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 feeling of stepping onto the pitch for the last time is something that Clare Polkinghorne admits has yet to sink in.