Darren Lockyer moment explained after NRL legend cops backlash over role in Matildas ceremony

Fans were quick to slam Football Australia for getting NRL legend Darren Lockyer to present Clare Polkinghorne with a commemorative jersey before her farewell game on Thursday night, with many questioning why a Matildas great wasn’t chosen instead. But the truth is Polkinghorne wanted it to be Lockyer because he was one of her childhood idols.

Tears flowed around Suncorp Stadium as the 35-year-old Polkinghorne played her 168th and perhaps final game for the Matildas in a 3-1 loss to Brazil. The proud Queenslander was farewelled in front of her home crowd, with Queensland and Brisbane Broncos legend Lockyer invited to present her with a memento.

It marked a touching scene as Polkinghorne was clearly overjoyed to see Lockyer, but fans were left questioning why officials got a legend from a different sport to do the honours. Many took to social media to suggest a Matildas legend should have taken the role instead.

One person wrote: “Why Darren Lockyer?? Didn’t we have a legend Matilda or Socceroo??” Another commented: “Darren Lockyer? Nice bloke but FFS we couldn’t find someone from the same code and maybe even female to present that to Polks?” While a third added: “I can’t get my head around Darren Lockyer and why he was chosen the present???!”

Darren Lockyer’s gesture for Clare Polkinghorne explained

But the truth was later revealed that Football Australia were simply honouring Polkinghorne’s wishes. The veteran Matilda counts Lockyer and swimmer Susie O’Neill as her childhood idols, so she was more than happy for Lockyer to do the presentation.

Lockyer famously played the last of his 355 NRL games at Suncorp Stadium, and the legendary five-eighth represented Queensland in 38 State of Origin games for his state. It was simply a case of one Queensland champion honouring another.

Polkinghorne gave a short speech, explaining how the Matildas had meant “everything” to her since making her national debut in 2006. Matildas players and family members formed a guard of honour as the 35-year-old entered the arena, and there wasn’t too many dry eyes in the house when a tribute was played on the big screen.

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The two-time A-League women’s champion was substituted in the 62nd minute to a standing ovation, and received more hugs from her teammates. Teammate and fellow Queenslander Tameka Yallop said the three-time Olympian and five-time World Cup player had left an indelible mark on the side.

“Clare is a legend of the Matildas, football in Australia and the Brisbane Roar as well,” Yallop said. “She is definitely the epitome of the Matildas and will never say die. I think she has been a big part of instilling that attitude in the young girls coming through in the team. I think she has done an amazing job passing on her wisdom and the aim now is to keep going with what Polks has been able to achieve.”

The Matildas didn’t get the result they wanted in Polkinghorne’s farewell to Queensland, going down 3-1 in a physical game that turned spiteful at times. It won’t necessarily be Polkinghorne’s last game for Australia, as she’ll remain in the squad for upcoming games against Brazil and Taiwan.

with AAP