THE Australian men's hockey team is hoping to bounce back from a shock loss to Spain and learn from previous lessons in its pursuit of gold in Rio de Janeiro.
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The number one ranked team lost to the 11th-ranked European side at the Deodoro Hockey Centre with a sixth-minute field goal from Alex Casasayas proving the difference.
Having won their opener 2-1 against New Zealand, it is a major setback to Graham Reid's team as they seek to continue a proud record of medalling at every Olympics since 1992.
However, Tasmanian defender Tim Deavin said the legacy of the nine-minute nightmare that cost Australia a shot at gold at the last Olympic Games continues to motivate the side four years later.
The 32-year-old, who gained his 134th cap against Spain, said the upshot of the 4-2 semi-final loss to eventual champions Germany, having led 2-1 with 16 minutes left, was a complete reassessment of how the team deals with adversity.
“Having that experience we learned a lot and we changed our whole program,” Deavin said.
“It was pretty disappointing that we did not meet expectations and finish first which most of the guys have dreamed about since they were little kids.
“As a result, a couple of years later we were able to smash Holland in a World Cup final.”
The London tournament was the second Olympics running that the Kookaburras had lost a semi-final from a winning position before claiming a bronze medal, and Deavin said it prompted a major rethink.
He said analysis of the loss identified deficiencies that could be addressed.
“It was mainly about being more mentally resilient and having a particular skill set that we did not have in Beijing and London.
“Basically it’s an ability to be able to talk to each other at any time. Being able to have
critical conversations and reconcile issues.
“That was one of our main downfalls that people could see things going wrong but were not able to communicate under pressure and addressing that showed in our results in the two years that followed.”
The former Scotch Oakburn student and Tamar Churinga and Derwent player said the initial benefits were plain to see at the 2014 World Cup where Australia demolished the Netherlands on their own soil 7-1 in the final.
And Deavin hopes to play another pivotal role in Rio having become part of a four-man leadership group, alongside Fergus Kavanagh, Simon Orchard and Aran Zalewski, under captain Mark Knowles.
“You cannot buy experience and having been there before and played in a lot of major tournaments I think I’m in a good place to know what to expect and how to deal with situations,” he said.
“Since the last Olympics I’ve worked on my game as every athlete does and probably one of the biggest things I have worked on is the ability to lead a group or help in that role, trying to push the group to succeed.”
Australia will next play Belgium on Wednesday at 9.30am AEST.
Windy conditions on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on Sunday were deemed unsafe for racing prompting organisers to cancel all racing.
The new schedule saw the Australian women’s quadruple sculls crew including Kerry Hore due to race their repechage at 8.40am on Monday (AEST 9.40pm).
The crew requires a top four finish to proceed to the A-final on Wednesday.
The Australian women’s eight including Meaghan Volker will compete in their heat Monday morning at 8.50am (AEST 9.50pm) against reigning Olympic champions the USA, Netherlands and Romania, with only the victor progressing straight to the A-final.
Meanwhile, Hobart mountain biker Scott Bowden has shed some light on his call-up for the men's road race on the opening day of competition.
"I was selected for the mountain bike but due to team dynamics surrounding the Olympics and positions available, I was asked to do the road race as well," the 21-year-old said on social media.
"There are many more riders that would have been selected before me if Australia were able to take another road rider but I guess that's sport and I did what I could to fulfil my role.
"Now time to shift all attention to the mountain bike race with two weeks to go."
Bowden's race is on the final day of competition, Sunday, August 21, at Deodoro X-Park.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9
- Hockey: 8.30pm Australia v Belgium, Deodoro Hockey Centre (9.30am Wednesday AEST)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
- Rowing: Women’s eight repechage, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (10.50pm AEST); 10.34am Women’s quad sculls final, (11.34pm AEST)
- Hockey: Australia v Great Britain, Deodoro Hockey Centre (9.30am Thursday AEST)
STORY SO FAR
Eddie Ockenden, Tim Deavin (hockey) Australia defeated New Zealand 2-1; lost to Spain 0-1
Kerry Hore (rowing) quad sculls 2nd in heat
Richie Porte (cycling) road race DNF
Scott Bowden (cycling) road race DNF