The Matildas will dust themselves down and attempt to quickly move on after a physical, relentless Brazil beat Australia 3-1 to crash retiring great Clare Polkinghorne's send-off match in Brisbane.

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.

Retiring Australian football great Clare Polkinghorne admits her Matildas send-off match won't fully sink in until she steps onto the Lang Park pitch for the final time.

Retiring Australian football great Clare Polkinghorne admits her Matildas send-off match won't fully sink in until she steps onto the Suncorp Stadium pitch for the final time.

Matildas hero Clare Polkinghorne was given a Queensland-flavoured farewell full of emotion at Suncorp Stadium in a 3-1 loss to Brazil.