Commonwealth Games 2022: Kookaburras aim for seventh straight hockey gold medal

After missing a crucial penalty cost them Olympic gold in Tokyo, Kookaburras’ Blake Govers wants to be back on top of the podium at the Commonwealth Games.

After missing a crucial shot in the gold medal match penalty shootout against Belgium in Tokyo, dual Olympian Blake Govers plans to leave Birmingham with nothing but a gold medal around his neck.

Govers wasn’t the only one to miss a shot that day – but the tears captured on camera after the match proved he took the loss harder than others.

Formidable in front of the net, Govers has 104 goals from his 117 international appearances.

But he just couldn’t slip it past Belgium keeper Vincent Vanasch – who played the match of his career – in the shootout.

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Jacob Whetton and Blake Govers were emotional after missing penalty shots in the gold medal match against Belgium at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Adam Head

HOCKEYROOS TEAM NAMED FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Now, nearly 12 months on Govers has come to terms with the loss – but it isn’t something he wants to experience again.

“I guess we were fortunate enough to go with the pandemic and everything else,” Govers said.

“Then to go on and win a medal was great and to do it for our country was absolutely amazing. However there were some mixed emotions after the disappointment of pretty much nearly reaching your dreams but not quite getting there.”

Having to leave within 48 hours and then being locked up in a hotel room for two weeks quarantine meant it took longer than usual to clear the ‘what if’ thoughts from his head.

“You had mixed emotions then the door shuts behind you in a hotel room for two weeks by yourself and you had to live with the thoughts of the shootout loss,” Govers said.

“It wasn’t pleasant to say the least, but that is sport.”

Govers wants to redeem himself at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Adam Head

The lack of international competition following the Games meant Govers has been waiting almost 12 months to redeem himself.

“Commonwealth Games will be good to have that fight and bring it back and make sure of it,” Govers said.

While Govers made his debut, as a 17-year-old, in 2015, he is yet to play a Commonwealth Games. He broke his hand in a training incident days before the 2018 Gold Coast Games – where the Kookaburras won their sixth straight gold medal.

“It was the last (training) session before our first game, I caught the ball straight into the hand and just shattered the whole hand up,” Govers said.

The 18-man squad, confirmed on Tuesday, has been based in Perth for a pre-Games training camp.

The Kookaburras will be aiming for their seventh straight gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Adam Head

Kookaburras, ranked No. 1 in the world, have won every gold medal on offer at the Commonwealth Games.

Govers said he does not want to be part of the team that doesn’t uphold the track record.

“Personally I’ve decided I just want to play at my best and for the Kookaburras to play at our best because if we play at our best we have an extremely high chance of winning it,” he said.

“If we are not at our best it will be a bit of a challenge.”

The men will get a chance to clear out the cobwebs with games against Spain and Holland before the Commonwealth Games start on July 28.

Australia will come up against Kenya, South Africa, New Zealand and Scotland in their round games.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2022: Kookaburras aim for seventh straight hockey gold medal