Polkinghorne: "I've given everything I have for this jersey," as she announces retirement
“Hey girls, it’s Polks here. I just wanted you all to hear it from me first, that I’ve decided to retire from international football at the end of this year.”
After 18 years and 167 appearances, the CommBank Matildas' legend has announced her retirement from international football with her final appearance in green and gold on November 28, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane against Brazil.
Polkinghorne shared the news with her teammates via an emotional voice message that summed up the humility and team-first nature of the most-capped CommBank Matilda of all time.
It is impossible to overstate the impact that the central defender has had on the team throughout her career.
The 35-year-old has been a part of five FIFA Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Games, and was there in 2010 when the team lifted the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
She has been there for every major moment in the team’s history for the better part of two decades.
“It’ll take a while for me to process everything that’s happened in my career, and all things that I’ve been a part of,” Polkinghorne said.
“It’s been a special 18 and a half years in the Matildas' jersey, and it’s something that I’m incredibly proud of. I’m just really thankful that I got the opportunity to do what I love for so long and to represent this great team for so long.”
The decision to go out on her own terms was a difficult one, but after reaching out to her support networks, she knew it was time.
“I’d spoken to some past players who had gone through the retirement process themselves, and spoken with my family and friends about it,” she explained.
“I’ve given everything that I have for this jersey. Mentally, physically, emotionally.
“My Dad always said that you’re a long time retired, so it’s definitely a decision that I didn’t come up with quickly or lightly, but it felt like the perfect moment for me.”
The team has been a massive part of Polkinghorne’s life. Teammates speak about the impact that her kindness and determination has had on them – but equally, the team has had an enormous impact on her.
"There will be many more opportunities for me to try and explain how much this team and this jersey has meant to me," Polkinghorne said in her voice message.
"You guys have been my second family for the last 18 and a half years. We've experienced the highs and the lows of not only football, but of life together as a team. I'll be forever grateful for the friendships and the memories that I've been lucky enough to experience throughout my footballing career."
After spending over half her life with the team, life after the CommBank Matildas will be an adjustment for Polkinghorne.
“It’s going to be a massive change for me,” she said.
“This team has been a massive part of my life, and it’s going to be different to not be a part of it.
“There are going to be so many things I miss... Being a professional athlete and being a Matilda, but mostly, I’ll miss the relationships that I’ve built along the way and the experiences I've had with teammates and staff.
“It’s going to be all those 'in-between' moments that I’m going to miss the most as a footballer.”
Polkinghorne said she will carry the lessons she learned as a CommBank Matilda, for the rest of her life.
“There are so many things that you pick up as an athlete that can be transferred to other areas of your life,” she explained.
“The biggest lesson the team has taught me is to never give up. It’s been a trademark of the Matildas for so long, our 'Never Say Die' attitude.
“That will be a part of my life forever. No matter what happens – the highs, the lows – you keep pushing and you keep improving, and hopefully you can come out on top in the end.”
While Polkinghorne is undoubtedly an Australian legend, she’s a Queensland legend as well. Brisbane is where it all started for a young ‘Polks’, coming through the Queensland Academy of Sport and eventually appearing 139 times for the Brisbane Roar in the A-League Women.
It’s fitting, then, that her final game will be at Suncorp Stadium.
“It’s really special to be able to play one last game in Brisbane, in front of my family and my friends, and in front of all the people who have supported me along the way,” she said.
“It all started in Brisbane when I was four or five years old, so it’s really special to be able to finish off my career there and play in a stadium that is really special to me, and also now really special to a lot of Matildas' fans [after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup].
“I’m really excited to play in Brisbane one last time, and finish it off where it all began.”
In typical fashion, she was understated about her impact on the game and gives a lot of credit to the people around her.
However, she was clear about what she hoped came next, with her sights set on a potential move to coaching.
“I’m really excited about the next part of my life,” she reflected.
“I love this game, and I have played my whole life, so it’s going to be really important that I’m still involved in the game.
“It has given me so much so I’d really like to be able to give back in some way. I love working towards things. I love working with people and in a team.
“So I think coaching is the natural profession for me and something that I’m really excited about challenging myself with.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 INTERNATIONALS
CommBank Matildas v Brazil
Date: Thursday, 28 November 2024
Kick-off: 8:00pm local / 9:00pm AEDT
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10Play & Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Brazil
Date: Sunday, 1 December 2024
Kick-off: 6:35pm local / 7:35pm AEDT
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10Play & Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10Play & Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10Play & Paramount+
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