Kooka’s ‘heartbreaking’ exile ends after Games shame
Murray Wenzel |
Disgraced Kookaburra Tom Craig will play out his career with gratitude after earning a recall following a “heartbreaking” six-month suspension.
The Australian hockey star was stripped of his Olympic privileges when he was arrested in Paris following the side’s Games exit last year.
He spent the night in a Paris jail after attempting to buy drugs but escaped without a fine or conviction.
The 29-year-old was later handed a 12-month suspension by Hockey Australia, of which six were suspended.
That didn’t preclude him from playing overseas, Craig keeping his contract in Germany where he has pushed for a Test recall under new Kookaburras coach Mark Hager.
With his suspension served, that came on Friday in a squad that also includes the experienced Blake Govers, Lachlan Sharp and fit-again striker Joel Rintala.
Craig, who has played 142 games for Australia, will remain in Europe ahead of the side’s next Pro League legs in Belgium, England and Germany from June 14.
“Keeping the gratitude front of mind,” Craig said of his mindset.
“I can’t really put to words how grateful I am for everyone who’s supported me.
“It’s going to feel amazing.
“I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen and fortunately it has, so I really can’t wait to get out there.”
Craig, who won Olympic silver with the team in Tokyo four years ago, was banished from the side’s Pro League legs in Argentina and his Sydney home.
“Sitting there watching the boys play in Sydney … completely new squad, kind of equal parts heartbreaking I couldn’t be out there but exhilarating about what the next four years is going to hold,” he said.
“One of my favourite memories playing hockey in general was my 100th (game for Australia) in Sydney.
“It was pretty challenging to miss those games.”
The Kookaburras’ quarter-final exit in Paris was the end of an era, with veterans Eddie Ockenden, Aran Zalewski, Jake Whetton, Matt Dawson and goalkeeper Andrew Charter all retiring and coach Colin Batch stepping down.
“It brings a totally different flavour,” Craig said of Hager’s arrival and the new-look squad.
“Four years (until the Los Angeles Games) is a long cycle and we’re young in this cycle and all committed to learning as much as we can … about a new way of play and who the Kookaburras are going to be.”
Rintala burst onto the Test scene with a first-half hat-trick among six goals in his first four games.
But constant injuries kept him out of the Olympic squad and off the field until last week’s unofficial Tests against Malaysia.
“I’m so keen to get to Europe and have a good crack,” the drag-flick specialist said.
“I feel like I’ve been watching training for a long time now … it’s been frustrating, but I do it because I just love playing hockey.”
Australia, who won the last Pro League before the Paris Games, will play India, Ireland, England and Germany in the eight-game tour.
KOOKABURRAS: Davis Atkin, Josh Beltz, Hayden Beltz, Tim Brand, Cooper Burns, Tom Craig, James Collins, Nathan Czinner, Nathan Ephraums, Blake Govers, Anand Gupte, Tom Harvie, Jeremy Hayward, Liam Henderson, Tim Howard, Craig Marais, Joel Rintala, Lachlan Sharp, Jed Snowden (gk), Ash Thomas (gk), Jack Welch, Ky Willott.
AAP
