Hockeyroos star Rosie Malone has been confirmed as a high-profile omission from Katrina Powell’s 16-strong Paris Olympics squad.
Malone, shortlisted for the FIH women’s player of the year award, was called last week by Powell and was unsuccessful in her appeal. However she has taken her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a last-ditch bid to be included.
Having scored 32 goals in 106 matches, Malone, 26, was seen a major contender for the Hockeyroos this summer. She was part of Australia’s European sojourn in the Pro League and returned one goal in the campaign.
“Players within the team are shocked. She’s coming off one of the best years we’ve had from a Hockeyroo,” an ex team-mate told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Meanwhile, Jane Claxton, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris and Grace Stewart were revealed as co-captains.
–READ MORE: Paris 2024 Olympics: Hockey schedule, match fixtures
–Our full Olympic coverage of 2024 Games
“It’s a great depth of talent that we had to choose from,” Powell said. “They have done themselves proud already in the way that they have prepared.
“This is 16 is the best group and combination of players that give us the best chance of being successful in Paris.”
The Hockeyroos also posted a message ‘on behalf of’ current players on Monday, with no explanation as to the statement. There have been reports in the media of unrest within the women’s hockey programme.
Eddie Ockenden is set to become the first hockey player to compete at five Olympic Games for Australia afer being named in the Kookaburras squad.
“Going to the Olympics is the coolest thing we can do,” he said.
“The secret is just to love it – I have loved every one of them. We can take a lot from Tokyo and we can take a lot of good lessons.
“We’re better now than we were in Tokyo. We have the same level of belief and we believe that our best is good enough to win a gold medal.”
Aran Zalewski will captain the squad, which will feature three Olympic debutants, including Jake Harvie.
Coach Colin Batch left out defender Tim Howard, who has played 137 times for Australia, while Nathan Ephraums, with 71 caps, was also cut ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Batch said on Ockenden: “We haven’t selected some quality players and we have acknowledged that within the group and the immense work that they’ve put in,” Batch said.
“He’s (Ockenden) like a good bottle of red wine, isn’t he?
“And I know he wants a bigger goal and that’s not just being in the team, he wants success in Paris.”
Australia squads for 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Hockeyroos
Alice Arnott, Jocelyn Bartram, Jane Claxton, Claire Colwill, Rebecca Greiner, Stephanie Kershaw, Amy Lawton, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris, Karri Somerville, Penny Squibb, Grace Stewart, Tatum Stewart, Renee Tatlor, Mariah Williams, Grace Young
Reserves: Maddison Brooks, Aleisha Power, Hattie Shand
Kookaburras
Joshua Beltz, Tim Brand, Andrew Charter, Tom Craig, Matthew Dawson, Blake Govers, Jake Harvie, Jeremy Hayward, Eddie Ockenden, Flynn Ogilvie, Lachlan Sharp, Corey Weyer, Jake Whetton, Tom Wickham, Ky Willott, Aran Zalewski
Reserves: Johan Durst, Nathan Ephraums, Tim Howard
