• Australia’s most capped footballer to play last international in Brisbane
• 35-year-old to line up for national side for 168th time since 2006 debut

She is the defensive stalwart for the sporting team that has become Australia’s darling, yet after 18 years with the Matildas, Clare Polkinghorne has a clear-cut view of retirement: “I’ll definitely need a job.”

The 35-year-old will play her last game of professional football on Thursday in the Matildas’ friendly against Brazil, which is doubling as a fond farewell for the Queenslander. It will be her 168th international appearance, a record for an Australian footballer, and comes almost two decades after her debut.