No retirement plans for Eddie Ockenden as Kookaburras in seventh heaven

Kookaburras veteran Eddie Ockenden is eyeing off the Olympic Games after winning a fourth Commonwealth Games gold medal in the team’s barnstorming victory against India.

The world No.1 ranked men’s team, which has won every competition since the sport became a part of the Commonwealth Games in 1998, annihilated India 7-0 in a dominant performance which delivered Australia its 1001st gold.

Ockenden, who surpassed Jamie Dwyer’s all-time record of 365 Kookaburras’ appearances more than two years ago, says his team continues to write its own history.

Edward Ockenden shoots during the men’s hockey gold-medal match against India. Credit:

While conceding that an appearance at the next Commonwealth Games when he will be aged 39 might be beyond him, Ockenden says he will continue to press for selection ahead of the World Cup in India next January and, potentially, Paris in 2024.

“It’s easy to say right now I want to go, but I think I’ll just see how we go and try and keep going, trying to make the squad,” Ockenden, who carried the flag into the opening ceremony of the Games, said.

“I’m feeling really good and fit so I’m just going to give myself a chance to make the squads and push for the team because it’s really tight for spots. It’s an incredible squad that we have, and there are all these other guys back in Perth that could be here today.

“I’ll just keep putting my name forward and doing my best.”

Having battled to overcome England in the semi-final, the gold medal play-off was a clear reminder of the Kookaburras’ dominance at this competition. They are 41-1 since Kuala Lumper in 1998, with an overall scoreline in those seven finals of 33-2.

The Australian team, nicknamed the Kookaburras, scored 29 goals through their undefeated pool stage, adding another 10 in the two final appearances.

In a fierce midday sun at the University of Birmingham complex, the Kookaburras blitzed the opening half and put five goals in past the Indian defenders, leaving the number four-ranked team in the world shellshocked and unable to recover, losing 7-0.

Tom Wickham celebrates after scoring Australia’s fourth goal. Credit: Getty Images

Blake Govers’ scintillating form in front of goal in this competition continued, scoring his seventh in the opening minutes in a powerful conversion from a penalty corners.

Jacob Anderson (2 goals), Nathan Ephraums (2) and Tim Wickham all joined in to put the result beyond doubt. Flynn Ogilvie scored his first goal of the tournament in the final term.

The talented Indian side was dealt a killer blow when they lost their skipper Manpreet Singh in the second quarter in a heavy clash with Australian skipper Aran Zalewski. Singh left the field with a collarbone injury and the Kookaburras made the most of his absence.

Tom Wickham and Nilakanta Sharma compete for the ball. Credit:

A large Aussie contingent in the packed stands started singing Waltzing Matilda in the final moments with the result helping to subside the heartbreak of a penalty shootout loss in the Olympic final against Belgium last year.

“It has been incredible,” Ockenden said.

“You won’t find anything else in your life that you can do so passionately. To be able to play hockey for so long and do what I’ve been able to do, I have been very lucky.”

Co-captain Aran Zalewski said the Kookaburras were building a “great dynasty”.

The 31-year-old, who grew up in Margaret River south of Perth, scored three goals in the competition and has been ever-present for the Kookaburras in their biggest tournaments since late 2013.

“We’re really proud of the history we have,” Zalewski said. “Every team that comes is a different team (but) we know we have to come out and perform. We enjoy it and we pride ourselves on performing well here.”

He said Ockenden was “still looking like a spring chicken” in a team where competition for a spot in the starting line-up is fierce in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.

“We can draw on so many experiences he’s had ... highs, lows, things that are indifferent. Just having someone that’s so calm under pressure, is a humble guy and a good fella”.

Nursing his arm in a sling, Indian captain Manpreet Singh said Australia’s attacking pressure didn’t allow his team to play their own game.

“This was not the result we wanted. A good fight, a closer result... then we would be happy, but this is not the result we wanted. We could have done something more, we could have created more opportunity, but we didn’t play our best game,” Singh said.

“This is the best hockey in the world, they are one of the best teams in the world. You can’t make mistakes against these kind of teams.”

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