Paris 2024: Hockeyroos respond to critics with victory over South Africa to kick off Olympic campaign

Hockeyroos coach Trinity Powell’s decision to overlook star striker Rosie Malone has paid off as the youthful side kicked off their Paris campaign with a victory after early struggles.

Stephanie Kershaw’s world-class midfield performance and defender Tatum Stewart’s third quarter penalty corner goal hushed the Hockeyroos critics as Trinny Powell’s side opened their Paris tournament with a 2-1 victory over South Africa.

Australia has plenty to prove entering this tournament after five barren Olympics without a medal, unfair questions over their culture and the shock decision to overlook striker Rosie Malone.

When they conceded four early shots at goal then suffered the defensive breakdown that allowed South African striker Kayla de Waal to waltz into goal in the first quarter, Powell’s nerves must have been jangling.

But she had chosen half a dozen Olympics debutantes and a forward line without Malone with full faith they would reward her in Paris.

In her third Olympics Kershaw and striker Grace Stewart combined for the second-quarter goal that settled those nerves and changed the pattern of the game.

Kershaw’s backhand cross to Grace Stewart from deep on the left hand side set up the equaliser which seemed to be clearly deflected from Australia’s star striker.

Tatum Stewart scored the winner against Spain.

The goal was credited to Kershaw despite that deflection from Stewart.

Australia will not quibble _ it sparked them to life and saw the momentum of the game change in an instant.

Australia was able to defend a trio of South African penalty corners in succession, with help from the video review.

Then defender and set piece specialist Tatum Stewart stepped up to the mark after Mariah Williams had set up a penalty corner.

Instead of her customary drag flick, Stewart’s slap shot with lethal force deflected off the stick of runner Edith Molikoe into the roof of the South African goal.

The Toowoomba defender has enjoyed a sensational rise since her time in the Jillaroos squad in 2023 as Powell drives change in a squad she took over only months before the Tokyo 2021 Olympic tournament.

Kershaw sparkled through the middle for the full 60 minutes and while striker Brooke Peris could not take advantage of multiple chances, Grace Stewart took control deep in South African territory to set up a handful of clear chances.

What did you make of the Rosie Malone snubbing? Photo: Simon Watts/www.bwmedia.co.nz

Stewart was everywhere as an attacking target and while it was only a one-goal victory the succession of chances she created will have Powell hoping there is more to come.

With striker Rosie Malone out of the squad and doing everything in her power to make waves about her omission back home in Australia the pressure is on to show the side has enough strike power.

Hockeyroos coach Trinny Powell has made clear there is no conspiracy behind Malone’s omission, which gave critics a chance to again raise old allegations about the team’s culture.

Almost the entire Hockeyroos team posted a powerful statement of affirmation of their culture in the days after Malone’s exclusion in a show of faith in the Hockeyroos hierarchy.

It is also a test of the new generation of Hockeyroos brought in by Powell, who took over only months before the Tokyo Olympics amid a wave of controversy.

Coach Paul Gadoin was outed amid an independent inquiry into allegations of a bullying culture, with Powerll doing an incredible job to bring together a shell-shocked team.

Hockeyroos making their debuts include Brooks, Claire Colwill, Grace Young, Penny Squib, Rebecca Greiner, Grace Stewart and Jocelyn Bartram.

Originally published as Paris 2024: Hockeyroos respond to critics with victory over South Africa to kick off Olympic campaign