Physical Kookaburras Are Laughing: Brennan
Sun Herald
Sunday June 6, 2004
KOOKABURRAS pillar Michael Brennan was pleasantly surprised when he rejoined the Australian hockey team after three years in retirement.
It wasn't so much that the team was glad to have him around, nor the fact that they were showing good form in the lead-up to an Olympic tournament. He's seen that before.
Brennan was struck by the sheer physical presence of the group, which the experienced midfielder believes could give them an edge at the Athens Olympics in August.
``The way it feels is that this group is much more developed, they're better athletes than we've probably had in the past," Brennan said from London, where the Kookaburras started a three-nation tournament early this morning Sydney time, against Great Britain and Pakistan.
``It's the evolution of sport, I guess. It doesn't necessarily mean we can play better hockey but I think it gives us a better opportunity to do that."
The Kookaburras have been enjoying a perfect lead-up to the Games on a European tour highlighted by a determined 2-1 Test series victory over world champions Germany in Germany.
And while past Kookaburra squads had reason to believe fate was their enemy, this group carries none of the stigma of previous failures.
``The reason we don't feel that pressure is because this is a totally different group," Brennan said. ``It's a new bunch and most of these guys haven't failed before so they don't carry that around with them."
While their female colleagues, the Hockeyroos, can look back on a history of gold including their triumph at the Sydney Olympic Games the Kookaburras are burdened with a past of under-achievement. Plenty of near misses, but very few bull's-eyes.
In fact, since they first competed at an Olympic tournament in 1956, the Kookaburras have won six medals, but none of them gold. At the latest World Cup, they were runners-up to Germany and at the latest Champions Trophy, they came second to the Netherlands.
But Brennan, who quit shortly after the bronze medal victory in Sydney in 2000, is determined to gain Olympic selection and help put the Kookaburras on top of the world.
``It's been really good coming back," he said. ``My body is sharp, mentally I feel sharp. I think I'm fitter, faster and stronger than I was four years ago. I'm also a lot keener and probably a bit smarter, too."
It's quite a contrast to Brennan's state a short time ago.
``I played a season in Holland after the Games and then decided to retire," he said.
``I was tired mentally and physically and needed a break. At that point I thought I'd had enough. But, looking back, at the age of 25 you can never say never."
The Kookaburras arrive home on Saturday and Brennan will find out a week or so later if he has made the Olympic squad.
``It was great to beat Germany," he said. ``It's important we continue our development towards Athens.
``There are still spots up for grabs but we're heading in the right direction and the selections will take care of themselves," he said.
© 2004 Sun Herald