A-Leagues great retires from pro football after ‘unbelievable journey’

A-Leagues and CommBank Matildas legend Elise Kellond-Knight has called time on her storied career, stepping away from professional football after more than 16 years in the game.

Accumulating more than 100 Ninja A-League appearances for the likes of Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City and most recently Melbourne Victory, Kellond-Knight walks away from the game in order to pursue interests away from football.

The 34-year-old has joined Victorian state league side Avondale FC for the 2025 season. The club have been promoted to the Victorian Premier League, the second tier below NPLW VIC.

Get your tickets to Round 1 of the Isuzu UTE A-League season!

“And just like that… time is up,” said the Matildas legend in a statement released via her instagram channel.

“I’ve decided to call an end to my professional football career so I can focus on and develop other areas of my life.

DONE DEAL: Western Sydney Wanderers re-sign star who can ‘become one of the best players in the country’

“It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way. My fondest career memories are off the pitch, especially from the travels and adventures taken.

“Without a doubt my biggest achievement has been to help progress the women’s game to a new level of professionalism and I take immense pride in knowing that I will leave the game in a better place than when I joined.

She added: “Young girls now dream of becoming Matildas, and for that reason I know these years have been well spent. Thank you football, for the gift you gave me.”

Kellond-Knight began her Ninja A-League career with Brisbane Roar back in 2008, becoming a key figure for the Queenslanders before securing a move to Scandinavia.

She returned to Australia in 2018 for a one season stint with Melbourne City before once again coming back for another spell in the Ninja A-League, this time with the Roar in 2019.

Heading back overseas, Kellond-Knight ultimately returned down under for what would be the final chapter in her Ninja A-League career, signing for Melbourne Victory ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Not just an A-Leagues great, Kellond-Knight will also go down as one of the best to have ever pulled on a Matildas jersey.

SIGNING ON: Wellington Phoenix sign A-Leagues champion after injury curveball: ‘We’ve always liked him’

Amassing a whopping 115 caps for Australia, the Gold Coast native made her debut in the Green and Gold back in 2007 and is currently one of just 15 players to have surpassed the 100 cap milestone for her country.

Furthermore, the 34-year-old retires having represented Australia at three FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as two Olympic Games, while she also played a pivotal role in helping the Matildas to win the 2010 AFC Asian Cup, defeating North Korea on penalties.

On the domestic front, Kellond-Knight’s trophy cabinet boasts fond memories of her time playing football in the Ninja A-League.

A double winner with Brisbane in the 2008-09 season, Kellond Knight finished her career with two Championships and a Premiership as well being crowned the Ninja A-League Young Player of the Year in 2009.

The defender was also named Football Australia’s Female Footballer of the Year for 2011 and was named in FIFA’s Women’s All Star teams off the back of both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.

Kellond-Knight’s last duty in the Ninja A-League was to run out for the inaugural A-League Women’s All Stars side against English powerhouse Arsenal on May 24, 2024.

She retires having played for 12 different clubs across three different continents, amassing well over 300 league and international appearances and joins fellow Matildas legends Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne in announcing their international retirements.

LOCKED IN! Dates announced for 2024-25 A-Leagues season
UNITE ROUND LAUNCHED FOR 2024-25: Everything you need to know
UNITE ROUND 2024-25: What’s new this season?
FULL FIXTURE: Who your team is up against in Unite Round