Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell has announced her squad for the Olympic Games, snubbing world-renowned star Rosie Malone for the trip to Paris.
In one of the most shocking decisions in recent memory, the 26-year-old was overlooked for Australian duties and has since appealed the call from selectors.
Just over six months ago, Malone was on a five-person shortlist for the International Hockey Federation’s women’s player of the year award, but she now finds herself on the outer with the national team after receiving a phone call from Powell last week.
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Malone had been included in the 22-player squad in December, but has failed to make the final cut for the 16-player roster chosen to represent Australia next month.
Having already featured in Tokyo three years ago, Malone was seen as a walk-up start for the squad after scoring 32 goals in 106 matches for the Hockeyroos.
Rosie Malone in action for the Hockeyroos. Getty
“Players within the team are shocked. She’s coming off one of the best years we’ve had from a Hockeyroo,” a former teammate told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jane Claxton, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris and Grace Stewart were announced as co-captains, with Powell claiming this is the best squad to contend for a gold medal.
“It’s a great depth of talent that we had to choose from,” she 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 national selection panel for the Hockeyroos consists of independent chair and three-time Olympic gold medal winner Rechelle Hawkes, as well as head coach Powell and assistant coaches Jeremy Davy and Hugh Pervis.
The men’s Kookaburras squad was also confirmed on Monday, with Eddie Ockenden set to become the first hockey player to compete at five Olympic Games for Australia.
Kookaburras champion Eddie Ockenden. Mark Brake/Getty Images for Hockey Australia
“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 lead the squad, which will feature three Olympic debutants.
Hockeyroos squad for 2024 Olympic Games
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
Kookaburras squad for 2024 Olympic Games
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