Opinion
Believe the hype, Kookaburras can soar to gold
Jamie Dwyer
Stan Sport expertThe word from inside the Kookaburras camp is almost identical to the sentiment outside - Australia is every chance of taking home gold in Paris.
I have spoken to quite a few folks involved with the men’s hockey team of late and, with a quiet confidence, they know their best hockey is enough to win gold at these Olympics.
Australia’s Blake Glovers, fourth left, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal against Argentina at Paris 2024.Credit: AP
It’s the same message those observing the team from outside. Good judges - from the Netherlands to England to here at home - all agree that a medal is the bare minimum and gold is the true standard for the Kookaburras.
There is good reason to believe the hype. Australians have evolved since losing the gold medal game in an emotional sudden death shootout in Tokyo.
Many of the players from 2021 are playing in Paris and, almost without exception, I think they are better, hungrier, smarter and more prepared.
They’re in their prime and the leadership and trust within is as good as I’ve witnessed it in all my years involved with the team.
Aaron Zalewski has been on the international scene for 13 years and knows this is most likely his last Olympic campaign, as does Eddie Ockenden, Australia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony now playing in his fifth Games.
There is certainly no shortage of motivation for those two.
Team Australia huddle following victory against Argentina on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers are at their peak and, in my opinion, playing better than they have in previous campaigns. I’d put Andrew Charter in that category, too.
Meanwhile, Tim Brand is a very smart player to have up front. The likes of Ky Willott and Jake Harvie are young, fresh and playing good hockey when it matters most.
And if anyone doubts the passion within this squad, Matt Dawson chopping off the top of his finger to ensure his place in Paris should dispel them!
This is a team that knows itself and, just as importantly, knows its opposition well. They weren’t brilliant in their opening game against Argentina, the tricky world No. 7, but they did enough.
For the Australians know the real goal here: the quarter-finals.
From there, a new tournament begins and there’s no point going crazy in the pool games if the situation doesn’t call for it. It takes a certain level of maturity to understand that.
I think of this competition in tiers. The Kookaburras and Belgium occupy the top. The Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Great Britain and Germany on the next rung.
And then you’ve got teams like South Africa, who have the ability to spring an upset, but probably don’t possess the depth and quality to challenge for a medal.
Not everything in life goes to plan. Upsets happen and shootouts can be notoriously fickle affairs.
But the Australians are in about as good a place as they can be entering these Games and have given themselves every chance of winning our first gold since Athens.
Australia’s Tatum Stewart, centre, celebrates the second Hockeyroos goal against South Africa.Credit: AP
The Hockeyroos are also in an interesting place, albeit for different reasons to the Kookaburras.
The competition in the women’s event is as close as I’ve seen it and the Australians are a good chance at a medal.
To do that, they will have to defy recent history - the Hockeyroos haven’t finished higher than fifth in any of their last five Olympic campaigns after winning gold in three of the previous four - and learn the lessons of Tokyo, in which they powered through the pool games undefeated only to lose to India 1-0 in the quarters.
Trinny Powell has endured a couple of disruptive months as coach but has brought cohesion back into the camp since the team arrived in the athletes’ village.
They were below their best in the opening game against South Africa, but found a way to win.
The one thing the Aussies need to avoid is the Netherlands in the quarters or semis. They are the one team, in my view, that stands above the rest in the women’s draw.
The Dutch are unique, dangerous and present a huge threat to anyone. The later the Australians can play them in Paris, the better our chances of grabbing a medal. Picking the next best nation after Holland is difficult.
Argentina is up there, along with teams like Germany, Great Britain and Belgium, but I think they are all teams the Hockeyroos can beat on their day.
The Australians have the players to do it. Amy Lawton is in her second Olympics and is world-class. Mariah Williams is up there, too, and Steph Kershaw is amazing.
You could argue the backline is a touch inexperienced, but then Brooke Perris is a very solid player and we have good options up front with the likes of Grace Stewart.
So we have the players who can step it up. Now the real test begins.
Jamie Dwyer will appear as a hockey expert on Stan Sport’s daily Olympics shows.
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