Interim CommBank Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni lavished Clare Polkinghorne in praise as the legendary defender prepares to exit the international arena.
After almost two decades playing for Australia, Polkinghorne will retire as the Matildas’ most-capped player in a send-off game against Brazil in Brisbane on Thursday before another international friendly against Chinese Taipei.
The 35-year-old is an iconic of the domestic game too in Australia.
Polkinghorne won two Ninja A-League Championships and a pair of Premierships with Brisbane Roar while being named the Julie Dolan Medallist twice in 2012-13 and 2017-18.
“I don’t think it’ll quite hit me until after… I’m really excited about my next chapter,” she said.
Polkinghorne is also eyeing a coaching career post-playing after a journalist jokingly asked if she was pursuing the vacant Matildas job.
“No, but it’s definitely something I’d love to pursue in the future is coaching. Just staying in the game,” she said with a smile.
“It’s definitely something I want to continue with.”
Sermanni, meanwhile, allayed fears of Michelle Heyman’s fitness heading into the two international fixtures.
The Canberra United great was seen training separately in Matildas camp while her ankle was reportedly iced, having taken a knock in the Ninja A-League during Unite Round.
“It’s a minor thing. Just precautionary with Michelle,” he said.
“With the group we have in here, everybody touch wood are fit and healthy.”
