Captain Madonna Blyth set to retire as Hockeyroos crash out in Rio

AFTER 342 international appearances, Australian hockey fans may finally have seen the last of inspirational captain Madonna Blyth.

Hockeyroos captain Madonna Blyth is set to bow out of the international game. Picture: Marie Nirme

AFTER 342 international appearances, Australian hockey fans may finally have seen the last of inspirational captain Madonna Blyth.

The 30-year-old’s hopes of a fairytale finish in Rio came to an end on Tuesday morning (AEST) as the Hockeyroos crashed out of the Olympics with a 4-2 loss to New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

Blyth, a former junior at Commercial and Valley hockey clubs, confirmed the Games would likely be her final international assignment.

Madonna Blyth (right) gives chase to New Zealand’s Stacey Michelsen. Picture: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

“I think that’s it for me. Definitely (my) last Olympics,” the three-time Olympian (pictured) said.

“I put everything I had into the last six months or so in the lead up to Rio, always, I think, in the back of my mind knowing this would be it.

“It’s a little bit of a disappointing way to go out but it’s just the way it goes sometimes. You can’t have the fairytale finishes when you want them.

“I think my body is getting older by the minute. It’s just getting a little bit harder to do the training. I still very much love hockey, love the sport but I don’t think (the 2018 Commonwealth Games is) realistic at this stage.”

Gabi Nance (right) in action against the Kiwis. Picture: AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills.

The Hockeyroos, featuring local products Jodie Kenny, Gabi Nance and Karri McMahon, endured an inconsistent campaign, losing their first two games to New Zealand and the US before stringing together wins over India, Argentina and Japan.

It was a similar story for Daniel Beale and the Kookaburras, who lost 4-0 to Netherlands in the men’s quarterfinal on Monday.

It was the first time since 1984 neither Australian side had finished with a medal.