It is a popular comparison in Kookaburra circles as the 21-year-old Tasmanian bursts onto the international scene just as the World Cup-winning triple Olympian appears to be coming to the end of his illustrious 285-match career.

“That is high praise,” Beltz concedes.

“I grew up idolising Mark, I still do, and it is quite humbling that someone would say that.

“I’m an extremely long way off where he is but hopefully I can go some way to achieving some of what he has.”

The young Tasmanian from the same Hobart primary school as another triple Olympian, Matthew Wells, was this week selected for the Champions Trophy in London, ironically on the back of “stellar performances” against Great Britain.

With the tournament taking place just two months ahead of the Olympics, Beltz’s selection, alongside fellow Tasmanians Eddie Ockenden and Tim Deavin, was seen as a timely boost for their state’s Rio aspirations.

“As much as you want to read in what this might mean for Rio I’m just excited to get another opportunity at international level,” Beltz said.

“Obviously it’s a really good opportunity to put my name forward. The squad is quite developmental with a few big names out so it’s definitely an opportunity and if I play well there is a chance.”

While the Diamondbacks defender is understandably modest about his achievements, a more impartial assessment of his potential comes from those around him.

“He’s a potential future Kookaburras captain,” said Deavin, who shares a house in Perth with his fellow Tasmanian.

“His intent, his effort and attitude are phenomenal.

“When he first came over to Perth he dominated for a period and everyone kept asking ‘who is this guy?’. Then he had a bit of a form slump but now he’s getting back to where he was and playing some really good hockey.

“This will be his first major tournament so he’s very excited. I live with him and chat to him a lot and try and help him out. It’s bloody good to have another Tassie boy about.”

Tasmanian Institute of Sport hockey coach Andrew McDonald believes Beltz’s captaincy capabilities may come to the fore at the junior world cup in India in December.

“His focus is on the Champions Trophy and getting into the team for Rio and he is getting closer to that by the day,” McDonald said.

“This is the tournament which will determine who goes to Rio. This is the opportunity to showcase their ability.

“It’s hard to read Josh. He’s really excited about the challenge and looking forward to it. He knows he played well in Perth against GB so has got more confidence now. He is one for really making sure everything he needs to do to be at his very best he does do.”

With nine international caps and two goals to his name, Beltz feels he is starting to belong in the Perth-based national set-up, and relished his opportunity in the three-match series against GB which the Aussies won.

“It was my first time playing GB and it was really good experience,” he said.

“I had a couple of solid games, did my role quite well I think and had an influence.

“They were definitely some of the better games I have played for Australia.

“Being a part of the senior squad and spending time with the guys in the full training programme I am starting to feel like I’m part of the group and I think that has contributed to my performances.”

Beltz believes the key attribute for aspiring Olympians among the national hockey squad is adaptability.

“I think I’ve got a tackling quality but it’s also being an outlet and hitting targets going forward.

“With the way the game’s going, everyone is expected to do everything. Strikers have to have a big defensive responsibility and defenders play a big role up front.

“At this level you cannot afford to just do one thing. They are always looking for players who are all-rounders.”

The former Rosetta primary, New Town high and Elizabeth College student is aware he is well positioned to continue a proud Tasmanian Olympic tradition in Brazil.

Only once since 1980 has the state not been represented in Olympic hockey with Tasmanian players winning medals at six of the seven tournaments.

Wells (2004) and Maree Fish (1988) claimed gold while no fewer than eight bronze medals have been won by Wells (2000 and 2008), Daniel Sproule (1996 and 2000), Ockenden (2008 and 2012), David Guest (2008) and Deavin (2012).

Selectors go to extremes to ensure players do not get comfortable in the national set-up but Beltz said that atmosphere fosters professionalism among the group.

“They say anyone from the 29 in the training squad could make it and the team changes virtually every day so even most of the senior players are vying for positions.

“That extra competition promotes good quality training with that uncomfortableness.

“I’m just excited to be playing some of the European teams for the first time. We do a lot of scouting on them but I have not experienced the likes of Germany or Belgium. It will be a big challenge.”