Full circle for Australia's most-capped hockey player ever Eddie Ockenden, as he retires after two decades

Kookaburras legend Eddie Ockenden has called time on his international hockey career, leaving behind an unprecedented legacy that saw him become a five-time Olympian as he amassed a record 451 international appearances for Australia.
 
Over almost two decades of competing regularly at the top of his game, Eddie became a three-time Olympic medallist in five appearances, collecting bronze in 2008 and as captain in 2012, before co-leading the side to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. 

A double World Cup winner, seven-time Champions Trophy winner, four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Flag Bearer, Eddie capped his career as Tasmania's first ever Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer at the Paris Olympic Games earlier this year.
 

The decision to retire is a full-circle moment for one of Tasmania's greatest athletes as he prepares to move back home to Hobart with his partner Lou and their three boys.
 
"I've always wanted to move back to Tasmania and the kids are at a good age to move right now, they're not too old and we just knew it was time to move home," Eddie said.
 
Reflecting on a career that started 24 years ago in 2000 with a scholarship through Tasmania Institute for Sport (TIS) when he was just 13 years old, Eddie made his debut for the Kookaburras six years later against South Korea.
 
"It feels like my whole career has gone by in a flash. There are so many great memories, with good friends and I just feel like I've been really lucky to be able to do what I love for so long.
 
"There's always a lot of ups and downs in professional sport and when I reflect on my career it's the overarching love for the sport which I realise is what kept me going.
 
"I learnt to love the difficult parts and to enjoy everything about it, including tough days at training, because it's not all just winning. Success on the last game of the final day is rare and difficult to do. I just loved playing hockey and being a part of the Kookaburras, and I feel lucky I was able to do it at all really."

Alongside his love for the sport, Eddie agrees his ability to train without feeling too sore was one of the main reasons he was able to regularly compete at the top of his game, even confirming a little-known fact about his High Performance routine - he never needed a sports massage.
 
"I tried it because everyone else was doing it in the Olympics or somewhere and they were saying "it's really good for your legs", but I didn't like it and I also wasn't sore so I just thought to myself 'Why am I doing this?'
 
Fortunately, Eddie never suffered a major injury during his 18-year playing career either.
 
"I ruptured my kidney when I was about 15 and that was pretty traumatic and I think at the time I thought well that will be me then, I don't really need to have any more injuries, and fortunately, I didn't."

 
As he prepares to look ahead to a professional career outside of hockey, Eddie admits he's content calling time after the Paris Olympic Games. 
 
"There was a lot to like about 2024. I still can't wrap my head around carrying the flag for Australia in Paris and at my fifth Olympic Games. Being able to represent the community and the sport that I love so much was a proud moment, even if unfortunately, it didn't go well for us at the end of the Games."
 
Having his family and his young boys in the stands supporting him at what would be his fifth and final Olympic Games is also a special silver lining to the disappointment that he felt with the team in Paris.
 
"I don't think my boys have been able to understand too much about my career. But I think now, having been in the stands in Paris, they've probably learnt how to lose."
 
Win, or lose, Eddie knows his on-field family and his off-field family and their unwavering support has helped him enjoy a lengthy career.
 
"I can't thank Grays Hockey, ASICS, TIS, my hockey clubs YMCC Perth and North West Grad, my teammates, all of the coaches I learnt from, and of course my friends and family, enough for all of their support. It's been a huge journey, and they were all on it with me every step of the way."