How does one even begin to describe Clare Polkinghorne? As she approaches appearance 152 for the CommBank Matildas, a number that will see her overtake Cheryl Salisbury as the most ever capped in the green and gold, her family, friends, teammates and coaches had their say on what makes her such a special player.
“Clare Polkinghorne is tenacious.”
“Clare Polkinghorne is passionate.”
“Clare Polkinghorne is unflappable.”
“Clare Polkinghorne is a warrior.”
“Clare Polkinghorne is a great teammate.”
“Clare Polkinghorne is a legend.”
It’s impossible to look back on her career and disagree with that last statement. Since debuting with the national team in 2006, she has been a near constant presence in the changeroom – someone who is a leader, not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
“I debuted in China,” she explained, when asked of her memories of her debut.
“I started on the bench. I think there was a red card in the game, and for some reason I came on as a striker, which probably wasn’t how I saw my career starting!
“But I had a job to do, and I came on, and I got my first cap for the Matildas.”
It’s that attitude that is the first thing that many people think about when asked what makes Polkinghorne special. Her qualities as a footballer are unquestioned, but it is in keeping with her personality to put her head down and simply do whatever is required by the team – even if that is playing as a striker.
Tom Sermanni was the CommBank Matildas coach that gave her that debut in 2006, and called her up for her first World Cup in 2007. In those early days, she was much more of a utility player that was able to come off the bench and fill the gaps that the team needed.
“We literally played her everywhere, apart from goalkeeper – although she’d quite happily put the gloves on if required! She played in the back four, she played in midfield, and where necessary we’d push her even further forward,” he explained.
Her teammates tell a story that typifies the attitude of Polkinghorne, right from her earliest days in the national team. In 2008, Australia played against the powerhouse of the United States. Polkinghorne was given the task of marking an Abby Wambach who was at the height of her powers.
“I think some of the girls might like to exaggerate a story where I was told to man-mark her - and even when she went over to grab some water, I ran over next to her and grabbed some water too,” she laughed.
“I don’t know if that actually was accurate…”
She continued to hone her skills, first at the Queensland Academy of Sport, and then with the Brisbane Roar (then the Queensland Roar) upon the inception of the W-League in 2008.
At the age of 21 came one of her career highlights – the Asian Cup victory of 2010. She was part of the first Australian side to win a continental trophy, something that the CommBank Matildas have not repeated since.
Polkinghorne started the semi-final and final in midfield and was typically modest about her role in the triumph.
“I think my one job was to win the ball and give it to Collete [McCallum],” she recalled.
Her coach, however, remembers her role slightly differently.
“In those two games she was absolutely immense,” Sermanni said.
“She won tackles, she broke up attacks, she started attacks, she made forward runs, she got in the opposition box, she was in her own box – she was a complete player for those two games.
“She was one of the key reasons that we got to the final and one of the key reasons that we won that tournament.”
That understated competitiveness is something that was borne out of her backyard in Queensland. Growing up with two brothers, they would always be playing sport, whether it be with each other or with their neighbours.
Her older brother Liam described life in the Polkinghorne back yard.
“Growing up, we’d play every game under the sun. Whether it was cricket, football, athletics – we were always going pretty hard at each other,” he recalled with a laugh.
“We’d play rugby against the two boys next door and probably didn’t lose too many games. If you ran at Clare a little bit soft, or a little bit too upright, she was more than happy to lay you out.”
It’s difficult to imagine the CommBank Matildas without the presence of the Queenslander. After the 2010 Asian Cup triumph she went on to be selected in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup squads. She’s also a two-time Olympian, representing Australia at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
She has been there, either on the field or in the dressing room for some of the CommBank Matildas great triumphs - including a first ever World Cup knockout win in 2015, a first ever victory over the United States in 2017, and a first ever Olympics semi-final appearance in 2021.
Even though she has spent the majority of her career in the heart of defence, she has managed to wrack up 13 national team goals. Her celebrations are always memorable.
“You can’t not love Polks, especially when she scores a goal,” laughed long-time friend and fan Fatima Flores.
“My favourite thing is a Polks celebration.”
Current CommBank Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson rates Clare Polkinghorne’s goal celebrations as one of the most memorable things about her as a player.
“She scored this goal against Brazil when we are on home soil for the first time in a very long time due to COVID,” he recalled.
“But it’s not the goal that stands out the most – it’s the goal celebration, the classic goal celebration with Polks in the air, with the fans. I can even picture it now, that moment – it gives me goosebumps!”
The player herself admits that she’s happy to show her emotions when it comes to goals for the CommBank Matildas.
“When we have attacking set pieces, I get the opportunity to go up, and I’ve got a job to do there,” she said, “and sometimes I’m lucky enough that it comes off.
“I get excited no matter who scores! I’m pretty comfortable expressing my emotions in that way. Whether it’s me or someone else, I get pretty excited. I just love seeing the team succeed - whether it’s an individual brilliant goal or a good team goal, I like to celebrate.”
A constant throughout the various conversations about Polkinghorne’s career is her character. It is something that has made her so beloved by CommBank Matildas fans for so long – her down to earth, genuine nature has made her a fan favourite throughout her years both at national team level and with the Brisbane Roar, where she has 139 appearances.
“What makes me proud of Clare, day after day, is the type of person that she is,” her Mum, Brita, said.
“She’s humble. She never puts herself up on a pedestal. She’s a very humble, loving, caring person, who loves football. She’s always loved football, it’s been a big part of her life. She plays it because she loves it, no other reason. The type of person she is, that’s what makes me proud, apart from all of her football trophies.”
Her younger brother, Tom, agreed.
“Everyone thinks very highly of Clare and that’s because she’s a nice person, and she’s kind to people,” he explained.
“I’ve never heard her say a bad word about anyone. When she leads like that and acts the way that she does in front of other people, and doesn’t talk about other people, it’s something that I try to add into my life. To be a positive person and to be kind to others.”
Former coach Tom Sermanni said it best.
“You could search the whole of the earth and you’d never find anyone who would say anything bad about Clare,” he said.
For Polkinghorne herself, the greatest joy in her career has come from the people that she has met along the way.
“Probably the thing I’m most thankful for is the people that you meet along the way,” she said.
“You spend more time with your teammates than with your own family. It’s a pretty unique situation in which we find ourselves in. Playing football has enabled me to live in different countries, experience different cultures. I’ve met a lot of friends from different countries, different teams, and I know they’re going to be people that I’m going to be friends with for life.
“It’s the people that you meet along the way that are a part of your journey that make it really special.”
Some of those team-mates had their say on the impact that Polkinghorne has had on them over her career. Her authenticity, and her genuine and humble character was emphasised by those who have played alongside her for years
“She’s such a huge part of this team,” centre back partner Alanna Kennedy reflected.
“I don’t think she even realises the weight she holds in this team, how much she inspires all of us, how much we all look up to her. I’m just proud of everything that she’s achieved.”
“Polks really pushes the team. She’s no nonsense,” midfielder Tameka Yallop said.
“When you walk out on the pitch, you know what you’re going to get from her, and you want to equal her intensity. She drives that high standard.”
Captain Sam Kerr echoed the statements of her team.
“If you asked anyone on this team about Polky, the first thing they’d talk about is who she is as a person,” she said.
“The proudest thing for me is the things she’s had to come through and she’s always stayed the same. It’s an amazing thing, and a very hard thing to do.
“She might seem a certain way to the public but to the team she’s more important than anyone could ever imagine.”
To become the most capped Australian player, male or female, is an immense achievement. It is something that not only speaks to her ability but also her longevity. It puts her well and truly in the echelon of Australia’s finest ever footballers.
The enormity of the occasion, when she does cross that milestone, is something that is difficult for her to comprehend while still in her playing career.
“Once I retire and look back on my career it’s something that I’m probably going to reflect on a little bit more,” she explained.
“At the moment, I love playing for this team, and any time I get to represent my country is something really special. For me to be able to have done that so many times is something I’m really proud of.
“Hopefully, every time that I have stepped out on the pitch, people know that I’ve given everything I’ve got for the jersey. It’s not something that I take for granted, because you never know when your next game is going to be. It’s something that I don’t take lightly.”
Australian football is lucky to have a figure like Clare Polkinghorne. Ever-reliable, ever-present, it is characters like her that contribute so much to the game in ways that are not always obvious.
“Clare Polkinghorne is a legend in this game, and will be so for a very, very long time,” head coach Tony Gustavsson said.
“The way she has carried herself in this team, in this game, for so long, and what she has brought to the team and the game - I can’t explain that in words.
“She is, and always will be, a true legend."