Retiring W-League Player Rhali Dobson Proposed To After Her Last Ever Game

Scoring in your last ever football game is one thing, but getting proposed to as well makes it all the more special.

In her final W-League match for Melbourne City, Rhali Dobson well and truly went out on a high after her partner proposed to her on the pitch.

With the City players doing laps of the field following their 2-1 victory over Perth Glory, Dobson's boyfriend Matt Stonham emerged from the crowd and got down on one knee.

It was a truly, truly magical moment with Dobson breaking down in tears of joy before she was mobbed by her celebrating teammates.

But what makes this story even more incredible is when you learn exactly why 28-year-old Dobson is hanging up the boots.

It turns out she's actually retiring from football in order to take care of her new fiancee.

Matt is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer after being diagnosed with the awful disease around six months ago and Dobson will now be his full-time carer.

"I don't feel like I'm ready to retire but sometimes life makes those choices for you," Dobson told ESPN.

"But with everything going on it's a decision that has to happen - because it's bigger than the game.

"Matt and I are very open about everything. He was diagnosed with brain cancer six years ago after a seizure on the soccer field when he was playing.

"He had brain surgery and that was successful and then he elected to stay on just having reviews with oncology after everything went so well the first time.

"He was having a checkup and they noticed a bit more activity in a very small area [of his brain] back in February.

"Then we got the news two days after I got back down here to Melbourne that the part that they took out - which they got all of, which is fantastic - had transitioned to a grade III brain tumour.

"So, he now starts aggressive radiotherapy until the end of May and then he'll start aggressive chemotherapy for 12 months.

"We've caught things exceptionally early, he's on the very positive end of the scale because of his age.

"He had no other signs or symptoms, it was for him a routine check-up.

"This is bigger than the sport. He is my absolute world."

Dobson has made 44 appearances for Melbourne City after signing for the club in 2017 and went on to win three W-League titles.

Congratulations to Rhali on a stellar career and an even bigger congratulations to the happy couple on their recent engagement.

Topics: Football News, Football, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry