Captain Clare Polkinghorne's heartwarming Katrina Gorry tribute

When Brisbane Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne scored in Sunday's W-League top-of-table clash, she had a special celebration planned. 

The experienced defender's cradle motion was a tribute to her long-time club and Westfield Matildas teammate Katrina Gorry, who last week announced that she was expecting her first child later this year. 

Strong performances from Polkinghorne and fellow Westfield Matildas Tameka Yallop and Emily Gielnik inspired the Roar to an impressive 4-1 victory over the previously flawless table-toppers Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval. The result closed the gap at the summit to two points and ensured that Brisbane are the only club undefeated with eight rounds played. 

"It (Gorry's news) is special for us as a group and personally as well," Polkinghorne told Fox Football post-game. 

Brisbane coach Jake Goodship said that Polkinghorne's celebration was a testament to the tight-knit team spirit at the Queensland club. 

"Yeah, it says it all," he said. "The feeling in the group and the environment and culture we have is second to none and I think it's the best thing most of the players have been part of for a long time. It means a lot the them and you can see that by the celebration of Polks as well.

"We're very happy for Mini and she's still a very important part of the group. Everyone's buying baby stuff for her, it's fantastic. " 

Goodship also explained how despite not pulling on Roar orange again this season, Gorry will maintain an influential presence behind the scenes. 

"We're very supportive, we did as much as we could in our environment to help her," he said.

"She works on her own in the gym supported by staff and now she's an 'assistant coach' if you like. We speak a lot on the phone, we talk to each other a lot, she comes in every day and puts her two cents in in terms of what opposition teams may look like and it's valuable.

"Although she's not playing, she's giving a lot of feedback and advice to young players as well." 

READ MORE: Katrina Gorry's baby news: "I was actually in quarantine at the time." 
WATCH: Katrina Gorry: "I always wanted to be a mother"