Hockeyroos’ uncapped trio Smith, Mathison and Pickering named in squad for Sydney return

The Hockeyroos will be out for revenge with a host of fresh faces when they take on Olympic silver medallists China, and Spain, as the FIH Pro League returns to Sydney in February.

Australia will be out for revenge when the Hockeyroos take on Spain and China in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Three debutants have been named in the 21-strong Hockeyroos squad for the FIH Pro League in Sydney as the side looks to bounce back from its disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympic Games.

After finishing on top of their pool in the group stages, the Hockeyroos were defeated 3-2 by China, who eventually claimed the silver medal. It was the sixth straight Olympics where the Hockeyroos failed to progress to the semi-finals.

However, they have a chance to seize some early revenge as they come up against China and Spain across four matches of the FIH Pro League at Sydney Olympic Park from February 5.

Eleven squad members from Paris will return for the series of matches including Mariah Williams, Kaitlin Nobbs, Amy Lawton and Grace Stewart.

The Hockeyroos’ Olympic defeat to China will be still be fresh on their mind when the two teams meet in February. Picture: AFP

Jade Smith, Morgan Mathison and Lexie Pickering are the uncapped trio who could earn their first Hockeyroos caps in February.

Pickering finished as the top scorer in the recent Hockey One League season after she scored 13 goals for the Perth Thundersticks. Now she’ll get the chance to represent her country for the first time in her hometown.

“I’ve thought about my debut in Sydney a lot,” Pickering said.

“I think about putting on the jersey with my name on the back and running out for the first time and it’s going to be amazing.

“I grew up playing on the grass in Minkey in NSW, and it was a family affair. We’d go down every Saturday together and my dad had his own little hockey shop he’d set up and then we’d just spend the whole day there running around and playing.

“Ever since it’s been a whole lot of hard work and ups and downs, and now it just feels surreal and I’m so happy to be here.”

Courtney Schonell will also make a triumphant return to the national side after missing both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics through injury.

Schonell tore her ACL towards the end of 2023 and watched on as the team competed in France. But the striker is back in the green and gold following strong contributions for the Thundersticks as they went on to win their maiden Hockey One League title.

Fellow forward Alice Arnott was unavailable for the squad due to injury.

Australian coach Katrina Powell believes the team’s mix of youth and experience will put them on a good path as they begin their LA Olympics cycle. Picture: Getty Images

“Courtney is a really talented striker, and we’re very keen to have her and her goal-scoring prowess back. She loves to hit a goal, and I love that,” head coach Katrina Powell said.

“We’re excited to get back into competition, our focus is now on a new Olympic cycle and we’re at the start of it ahead of the LA Olympic Games.

“It’s great to be able to test ourselves first up against the Paris Olympic silver medallists China. They’re obviously a good team and they went on from beating us to win a medal in the Olympic final. I would say the pressure is on them now they’re the silver medallists.”

The Hockeyroos’ first game is against Spain on February 5 at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre.

Originally published as Hockeyroos’ uncapped trio Smith, Mathison and Pickering named in squad for Sydney return