Much more to NRL legend’s Matildas photo storm

Everyone was asking the same question after an NRL legend stepped into the spotlight on a Matildas icon’s big night.

There’s much more to the story about how NRL legend Darren Lockyer ended up being front and centre as Matildas fans farewelled Clare Polkinghorne.

Thursday night’s battle at Suncorp Stadium was supposed to be a celebration of the retiring star’s international career, but Brazil had other ideas with two early goals that set up a 3-1 victory.

It wasn’t the dream farewell for the veteran defender, but the 35-year-old got to celebrate a very different kind of dream when Lockyer appeared on the field and presented her with a classy farewell framed artwork that included her No. 4 Matildas shirt.

But the fact Football Australia chose a rugby league player to present her with the honour didn’t go down well with fans that watched the action on TV.

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Football Australia has since moved to make it clear that Lockyer and swimming icon Susie O’Neill were Polkinghorne’s sporting heroes growing up and the Matildas on social media have described the pre-match festivities as a “fitting pre-match tribute for an icon of our game”.

The proud Queenslander was in tears as the night progressed, but was all smiles as Lockyer joined her on the field.

Check out the ceremony in the video player above

Darren Lockyer presenting a framed jersey to Polkinghorne. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Clare Polkinghorne of Australia enters the field with a Guard of Honour. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Polkinghorne’s teammates were visibly emotional during the ceremony, with a number of fans on social media querying why it couldn’t have been held after the game.

The week has been all about Polkinghorne in the Matildas camp and team officials organised for O’Neill to surprise her behind the scenes this week.

Getting surprised by one of your heroes 🥹

Susie O’Neill, aka "Madame Butterfly”, was one of Polks’ heroes growing up, tonight she surprised her in camp and @clarepolks89's reaction just says it all!#Matildaspic.twitter.com/PH7Wakg95Z

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 27, 2024

“The most-capped Australian player of all time. There will never be another player like Clare Polkinghorne,” the team posted on social media channels

Not everyone was happy with how the celebration impacted the team in the minutes leading into kick-off.

“Great celebration for Polks. But! Surely they could have done it after the game?” was one comment on X.

“Would you not do the farewell after the game? Strange,” wrote another.

Polkinghorne seemed to be feeling the urgency of the game ahead herself when she gave a quick speech after the video tribute.

“Just a few quick words from me, we’ve got a game to get on with,” the Queenslander said.

“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 a stadium I absolutely love.

“This team has been everything to me and it’s been a hell of a journey and I’m very thankful for everything.

“Thank you very much and let’s get on with it.”

The players were emotional before kick-off.

There was barely a dry eye in the house.

The Paramount Plus commentators noted the situation late in the first half when they said “you could see how unhappy (Polkinghorne) was to have all this attention before the game”.

There is plenty of work for the Matildas to do before the next friendly on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.

Captain Steph Catley said her team only have themselves to blame for letting Brazil frustrate them.

Catley admitted the Matildas “didn’t get it right” as they become increasingly frustrated with a host of Brazilian players going to ground and receiving medical attention, which led to about 22 minutes of stoppage time being played across both halves.

“It is frustrating, but that’s international football sometimes and that’s part of playing against teams like this,” the Arsenal star said.

“They’re very street smart and we let them get two goals early, and that opens the door to those kind of tactics, and that’s on us.

“If we’re in the game and we haven’t let them score, they have to score and they don’t have time to do stuff like that.

“That’s international football and it is frustrating, but you’ve got to try to keep your head as much as you can, and hope that the referees are controlling it, and giving us as much of a chance despite the tactics.”

Originally published as Much more to NRL legend’s Matildas photo storm