REGARDLESS of whether Edwina Bone retains her place in the Hockeryoos starting XI on Thursday night - as expected - or not, the Orange product said Australia’s three-game Easter series against China is the beginning of preparation to, ideally, end up with an Olympic Games gold medal.
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Bone is all but guaranteed to take her usual place in the Hockeyroos’ backline for tonight’s opening clash at Sydney Olympic Park - a return to the stadium where Australia won Olympic gold in 2000.
Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens has developed a habit of not naming his final side until the 11th hour, and Bone said that won’t change for Australia’s first clash with China, ranked No.5 in the world.
“He never names it until about an hour before the game, but I think I will (start). Although I can’t actually remember the last time we played China, it’s been a while so I’m not really sure what to expect,” she laughed.
“But it’s international hockey, no team is ever a bad side.”
With the Hawke’s Bay Festival in New Zealand immediately following the series against China, and then June’s World League Semi Final in Belgium - an Olympic Games qualifying event - Bone said the three tests this weekend are crucial to her side’s preparation.
“These are our first games for 2015, so I think it’s really just about getting back into it, back into international hockey,” Bone said.
“We head to New Zealand after this and we’ll play higher ranked teams there so I think we’ll also be using the series against China to work on how we’re looking to play.
“We’ll focus on ourselves, and work to iron any kinks out before we head to New Zealand and the World League in Belgium. They’re Olympic qualifiers so we need to make sure we’re playing well for those ones.”
The prospect of playing with one of four potential debutants in tonight’s game is exciting, Bone said, with Commens looking to ensure the continued development of Australia’s youth.
Kate Hanna, Savannah Fitzpatrick and Renee Taylor - all aged between 18 and 21 - have joined the squad, and all three are expected to make their debut during the series.
“It’s a good chance for them to get some experience under their belts, and get a few games with the group before the bigger tournaments,” Bone said.
“They’re quite young, and I’m looking forward to playing with them and seeing how they go.”
Australia’s opening clash with China kicks off at 7pm tonight (AEDT) in Sydney.
