Australian soccer star, Rhali Dobson, had already announced her retirement to support her boyfriend’s battle with brain cancer when she received a huge surprise on the pitch.
After scoring a goal in her final match, her boyfriend proposed from the sidelines. Dobson said yes.
![Matt Stonham proposing to Rhali Dobson after her final match at Frank Holohan Reserve in Melbourne, Australia, on March 25, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2F02%2FMatt-Stonham-proposes-to-Rhali-Dobson-7.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Dobson’s partner, soccer player Matt Stonham, was first diagnosed with brain cancer six years ago after a seizure on the pitch. He had a successful surgery and elected to return for periodic oncology reviews to help with medical research.
“[H]e’s really good that way,” said Dobson.
During the match against Perth Glory on March 25, the retiring Melbourne City striker scored a goal earning her team a 2-1 win, then she ran to the corner of the pitch to celebrate with Stonham.
After embracing his girlfriend, Stonham bent down on one knee and pulled out a diamond ring, popping the question.
“This is bigger than the sport. He is my absolute world,” Dobson said, according to the outlet.
![Rhali Dobson said yes to Matt Stonham's marriage proposal on March 25, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2F02%2FMatt-Stonham-proposes-to-Rhali-Dobson.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Dobson burst into tears, letting Stonham place the ring on her finger as supportive teammates swarmed the happy couple.
![The happy couple embracing on March 25, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2F02%2FMatt-Stonham-proposes-to-Rhali-Dobson-6.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
In February this year, Stonham’s cancer returned.
“He was having a checkup and they noticed a bit more activity in a very small area [of his brain],” Dobson told ESPN.
“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 three brain tumor.”
Stonham is due to start a two-month course of aggressive radiotherapy, after which he will transition to an aggressive 12-month course of chemotherapy. His fiancée plans to be beside him, every step of the way.
![Rhali Dobson poses during the Melbourne City W-League 2020/21 Headshots Session at City Football Academy in Melbourne, Australia, on Dec. 21, 2020. (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2F02%2FMatt-Stonham-proposes-to-Rhali-Dobson-2.jpg&w=1200&q=75)