‘I’m looking at a walking ghost’: Former Hockeyroo says she is shocked by star’s omission from Olympic squad

by Admin
June 26, 2024

One of the best hockey players in the world, Australia’s Rosie Malone, is set to be left out of the Hockeyroos team for the Paris Olympics, despite being fit to play.

Last year, the 26-year-old forward was the first Australian in eight years to be nominated for the International Hockey Federation player of the year award, ultimately putting her in the top five best players worldwide.

Malone also hasn’t missed a major team selection she was available for since she debuted for the Hockeyroos in 2018, going on to play 106 games for the Australian side.

Former Hockeyroo Kalindi Commerford said the omission had shocked everyone in the hockey community.

“It took me a bit to process it, I was in disbelief,” Commerford said.

“She [Malone] is a shell of herself, I’m used to her being this bright, bubbly, extroverted character and I’m looking at a walking ghost.

“I think it’s odd, I think it’s a surprise.

“Could it be personal? Probably, I don’t know.”

Formal announcement due on Monday

Rosie Malone scored in Australia’s most recent FIH Pro League match against Great Britain in London in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.(AP: PA/Zac Goodwin)

A team of 16 and two reserves selected from the initial squad of 22 is expected to be announced on Monday by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

It means Malone would be just one of four players who have missed out, despite playing in the most recent pro-league tour in London earlier this month which acted as an Olympic trial.

ABC Sport will be live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics from July 27 (Australian time).

Commerford said there was no obvious reason why Malone was left out of the team and it wasn’t because of poor form.

“It [the team in the pro-league tour] is usually your strongest 16, they’re the players that are in contention [for the Olympics].

“So based on selections prior to the Olympics, it would seem like she was still in contention.

“I’ve had a lot of current, big wig international players write to me and say, ‘What’s going on, is this real?'”

Malone a ‘weapon’ for Hockeyroos if picked, says Commerford

It’s unknown if Malone has made an appeal to the civil administration sport tribunal but if she has, that process would have already begun.

If the appeal is accepted by the tribunal, the decision will then return to the Hockey Australia selection panel, which could uphold its initial selection and leave Malone out of the side.

As one of the top goal scorers in the Hockeyroos team, Commerford said her inclusion would be a big boost to Australia’s medal hopes.

“Rosie is a weapon, you want a weapon in your team,” Commerford said.

“She is someone who is known to score goals, and you need to score goals to win games.