2016 Rio Olympics: Anna Flanagan dumped from Hockeyroos squad; Madonna Blythe named captain

HOCKEY poster girl Anna Flanagan has missed the Rio Olympics, but coach Adam Commens says her drink-driving cover-up played no part in the decision.

Anna Flanagan won’t be going to Rio with the Hockeyroos.

HOCKEY poster girl Anna Flanagan has missed the Rio Olympics, but coach Adam Commens says her drink-driving cover-up played no part in the decision.

Flanagan will travel with the 16-woman Olympic squad as one of two emergencies who can come in at any time to cover an injury.

The much-hyped defender was banned from a Darwin tournament and the prestigious Champions Trophy after covering up a high-level drink-drive charge from officials.

But Commens said the bottom line was that Flanagan had been overlooked for four defenders with superior form.

Jodie Kenny is one of the world’s best defenders, Casey Sablowski is a 250-game veteran, Kirstin Dwyer is in hot form and Georgie Morgan is a rising star.

The Hockeyroos are ranked third in the world and with enough elite young talent and 12 Rio first-timers could afford to overlook Flanagan.

“There were other girls who weren’t selected too. Georgia Nanscawen wasn’t selected either and it’s a bit frustrating but we understand Anna has got a profile,’’ he said.

Anna Flanagan has been overlooked for the Rio Olympics.

“We have got a really strong defensive line and she wasn’t in our World League side last year.

“It was a form-based decision. I think we dealt with the (drink-driving) issue in May. What happened with the DUI was unfortunate but it didn’t change anything at selection.

“She has been on the fringe for the last six to eight months and maybe longer and our team went to the Champions Trophy and Darwin and built as a defensive group.

“It makes it difficult to recall someone who hasn’t been in fantastic form.”

Flanagan will not stay in the Olympic village but can train with the team, attend all meetings and come in at any stage should a player be ruled out with injury.

Anna Flanagan will travel with the Hockeyroos as one of two emergencies.

Australia’s most-capped female hockey player Madonna Blyth will lead the team after scoring the winning shootout goal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

But beneath her this team is stacked with emerging talent including attacking midfielders Brooke Peris and Mariah Williams and strikers Kathryn Slattery and Grace Stewart.

The Hockeyroos won Olympic gold in 1988, 2000 and 2004 but have missed the medals since, with Commens admitting it is time to return to the dais.

At London’s Champions Trophy this month they finished a modest fourth of eight nations, losing the bronze medal playoff in a shootout.

But Commens said the results, which included three losses and a draw, belied a more encouraging formline.

“We played some really good hockey and had a couple of losses to Argentina (ranked second) and the Netherlands (ranked first) but we created more chances against Argentina and dominated for long periods,” he said.

Madonna Blyth will lead the Hockeyroos.

“We haven’t done that for a long time and had two goals disallowed.

“Against the Netherlands we also had a goal disallowed. So we had numerous video referrals which cost us games and the umpire managers admitted they made errors.

“It cost us a place in the final, so all the indicators suggested we are on a much better path.”

The Hockeyroos will leave for a Chile training camp on July 23, and will not march in the Rio opening ceremony.

They face a packed schedule of three games in their first four days, and play Argentina, Great Britain, America, Japan and India in their pool games.

SQUAD: Brooke Peris, Casey Sablowski, Edwina Claire Bone, Emily Smith, Georgina Morgan, Georgie Parker, Grace Stewart, Jane-Anne Claxton, Jodie Lauren Kenny, Karri McMahon, Kathryn Slattery, Madonna Blyth, Mariah Williams, Rachael Lynch, Kirstin Sheree Dwyer, Gabi Nance.

Originally published as 2016 Rio Olympics: Anna Flanagan dumped from Hockeyroos squad; Madonna Blythe named captain