Kookaburras coach Mark Hager backs Australia’s medal prospects at Los Angeles Olympics in 2028

Former Kookaburras captain Mark Hager has returned to the national side to coach the men’s team after 13 years coaching internationally. He reveals why he’s backing a revival, and Tom Craig’s return after his Paris cocaine arrest.

New Kookaburras men’s hockey coach Mark Hager who will be announced on Friday Picture: Supplied

New Australian men’s hockey coach Mark Hager says returning the Kookaburras to the podium in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is his ultimate goal as he brings through a new breed of young stars.

Hager has been chosen to replace Tokyo silver medal coach Colin Batch as the men’s coach after a remarkable 24-year coaching stint leading up to this week’s elevation.

Hager, 60, was the Kookaburras captain when they won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics and in recent years has coached the Great Britain and New Zealand women’s teams to medals at major competitions.

He told this masthead on Thursday he was thrilled to be given the privilege of coaching the Kookaburras after two and a half years in a talent pathways role with Australia’s women.

New Kookaburras men’s hockey coach Mark Hager who will be announced on Friday Picture: Supplied

He takes on a side in transition with Kookaburras captain Aran Zalewski retiring on Thursday after a 14-year career, joining Australia’s most capped goalkeeper Andrew Charter in moving on after missing the podium in Paris.

Five-time Olympian Eddie Ockenden, 37, will sit down with Hager in coming weeks to make a decision on his future.

It comes as Hager backed Tom Craig to emerge as a Kookaburras “matchwinner” after learning the lessons of the cocaine arrest in Paris that has seen him suspended for the next six months from Australian competition.

“I am very excited. It’s been a long time coming,” said Hager, who boasts 231 caps and 179 goals for Australia.

“I have always wanted to coach the Kookaburras after playing for them. Tell me a coach who hasn’t wanted to coach the team they once played for. It’s a bit of a new era. It’s definitely a transition phase.

“(Getting back on the Olympic podium) is always the ultimate goal. Nobody wants to hide behind what you are aiming for. We want to make sure we are well prepared for every game and every tournament but in the end LA is the one we are looking at.

“We want to be so well prepared that when we get there we have no excuses so we can perform well under pressure.”

Mark Hager captained the Kookaburras at the Atlanta Olympics. Picture: AAP

The new stripped-down Glasgow Commonwealth Games did not find room for hockey in 2026 but Hager says the sport will return to its rightful place in coming years.

“It’s one of the times we get on TV and the men haven’t lost at all through the Commonwealth Games (winning all seven gold medals),” he said.

“But I am confident it will return. This will just be the one time we are not involved in it. There is a future for us moving forward.“

Hager will sit down with Craig, arrested attempting to buy cocaine while celebrating in Paris, when he returns to Australia but says the 29-year-old still has a bright future with the Kookaburras.

“That is a conversation I will have with him” Hager said.

Australian mens hockey player Tom Craig was banned from hockey for six months after his arrest in Paris. Picture: Michael Klein

“I wasn’t around the program in Paris.

“I am sure from what I have heard he is pretty gutted with himself. We all make mistakes in life and Tom is a good hockey player.

“Six or seven years ago I bought him (at auction) for $70,000 when I coached the Kalinga Lancers in the Indian Hockey League and only gave him 15 minutes in eight games. It was a good pay packet, but we had a good senior group.

“I know Tom pretty well. He’s such a talented hockey player, he’s a match winner, he’s a good team leader as well.

“He just made an error of judgement. I know he will learn from it and grow.

“The experience he has had can really help him move forward with the group.”

Originally published as Kookaburras coach Mark Hager backs Australia’s medal prospects at Los Angeles Olympics in 2028