SYDNEY: Five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer will spearhead the Australian men’s field hockey team’s pursuit of gold at next month’s London Olympics, it was announced yesterday.
The 33-year-old is heading for his third Games and scored the golden goal that earned Australia — the current World Cup holders — the Olympic title in Athens eight years ago.
“I’m so honored to be named in the team,” Dwyer said. “The Olympics only come around every four years and it’s such a long road to get there, it’s really a fantastic feeling.”
Dwyer will lead a team of 16 to London, with 10 Olympic debutants, for an Australian side that is ranked No. 1 in the world and strongly tipped for Olympic glory.
Apart from Dwyer, more seasoned campaigners include Mark Knowles, Liam De Young, Eddie Ockenden, Des Abbott and Fergus Kavanagh.
“We’ve got a few experienced guys on the team,” Dwyer said. “The young guys look up to us and come to me for advice, and that’s good.
“It’s good for us to have the young guys on the team too, we’ll feed off their energy.”
The Kookaburras, under coach Ric Charlesworth, are widely expected to repeat the success of previous Games — they are the only Australian sports team to win a medal at each of the last four Olympics.
“There is not much difference between us and the rest of the world,” Dwyer cautioned.
Australia: Des Abbott, Nathan Burgers, Matthew Butturini, Joel Carroll, Chris Ciriello, Liam De Young, Tim Deavin, Jamie Dwyer, Matt Gohdes, Kieran Govers, Fergus Kavanagh, Mark Knowles, Eddie Ockenden, Simon Orchard, Matthew Swann, Glenn Turner.
Dwyer leads strong Aussie team to Olympics
