Why puzzled Matildas fans are blaming an NRL legend for derailing the national team ahead of shocking loss to Brazil

Scores of Matildas fans were bemused after NRL legend Darren Lockyer was bizarrely chosen by Football Australia to present departing star Clare Polkinghorne with a framed jersey to celebrate her decorated career on Thursday night in Brisbane.

Polkinghorne, 35, is retiring from international football following home matches against Brazil and Chinese Taipei – and has a CV many players can only dream about.

Five FIFA World Cups and three Olympic Games tells the story – but seeing Broncos great Lockyer on the field pre-game at Suncorp Stadium puzzled many supporters.

‘Why did Darren Lockyer present Clare with that frame before the game? Were there no former Matildas or even Socceroos from Queensland that were available to share that honour?,’ asked one fan on X.

A second jokingly weighed in with: ‘Rumour is, NRL legend Darren Lockyer is switching codes and has put his hand up to replace interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni in a permanent move.’

Daily Mail Australia understands Lockyer answered a request from Football Australia as he was one of Polkinghorne’s childhood sporting idols, along with champion swimmer Susie O’Neill.

In further questionable scenes, many Matildas fans wondered why the presentation for Polkinghorne was conducted pre-game as opposed to after the final whistle.

‘Polks’ herself seemed embarrassed by the fanfare, declaring to the crowd over the microphone ‘let’s get on with it’ moments before kick-off.

Plenty of Matildas fans were wondering why Darren Lockyer was tasked with presenting Clare Polkinghorne with her framed jersey

Polkinghorne started the match against Brazil and wore the captain’s armband in what was her 168th international cap for Australia

On the field, the Matildas paid the price for a slow start, with Brazil happy to play the role of party poopers.

The visitors were clinical early on, grabbing a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes before eventually winning 3-1.

Caitlin Foord found the back of the net for the Matildas, but overall it was a patchy performance from a team missing the likes of Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler and Katrina Gorry.

Polkinghorne started the match and wore the captain’s armband in what was her 168th international cap following her debut as a 16-year-old in 2006.

She was given a standing ovation by the crowd of more than 47,000 when she was replaced 18 minutes into the second half by Sharn Freier.

The two nations will again square off on Sunday, with action from Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast from 7:35pm AEDT.