Hoc: Hockeyroos skipper set to beat injury and chase third gold

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2004
Hoc: Hockeyroos skipper set to beat injury and chase third gold

By Guy Hand

ATHENS, Aug 13 AAP - Move over Jana Pittman, Hockeyroos captain Katrina Powell looks
set for a miracle fightback from an Olympic Games-threatening injury.

Powell, who tore a calf muscle during a tournament in Spain 10 days ago, is expected
to complete a remarkable turnaround by playing in Australia's opening match against Germany
on Saturday.

She completed the Hockeyroos' final training session without a hitch and Australian
coach David Bell said he was almost certain the veteran would remain in the Games squad.

It's the best possible news for the Hockeyroos as they chase a third straight Olympic
gold medal as striker Powell is an extremely influential player as well as the leader.

The most experienced member of the Australian squad with 246 internationals played
- and two gold medals to her name - she has scored 137 goals.

But Bell and Hockeyroos medical staff won't publicly declare Powell a certain starter
until the latest possible moment.

"We can change our final squad for the Games up to 24 hours prior to the start of our
first match, so 'll make a final assessment as late as possible," Bell said.

"I would say provided she pulls up okay from training she should play.

"She did everything asked and appeared to complete the session well.

"I'm very optimistic - I'd say Trini's highly likely to be there."

Powell, the Hockeyroos' most experienced player, is a vital cog in a side which faces
a potential banana-skin in the world's No.7 team in its opening Olympic match.

Bell is also confident fellow striker Peta Gallagher, who has been battling a persistent
calf injury, will be fully fit to tackle Germany.

"We'll also double-check Peta to make sure she's 100 percent right," Bell said.

Ngaire Smith and Wendy Alcorn are on standby should either Powell or Gallagher fail
to measure up.

After a nightmare pre-Games preparation in Spain marred by injury and overzealous Spanish
customs officials seizing the team's video equipment, Bell is happy with how things are
shaping in Athens.

The Hockeyroos were initially concerned whether the Games field would be up to standard.

But training sessions since their arrival have eased the two-time gold medallists' concerns.

"The venue itself is good - the whole area's cleaned up pretty well and it's very well
presented," Bell said.

AAP gh/nh

KEYWORD: OLY HOC AUST

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