Squad Announcement: Stars return to bolster Kookaburras’ charge in Argentina

The Kookaburras have announced the return of star players for the next FIH Pro League stage in Argentina to bolster the eight powerful debutants that pulled off a 4-2 win over the Olympic champions, the Netherlands, during the Sydney stage last week.

Check out the full FIH Pro League Schedule

Watch every Kookaburras & Hockeyroos match live and free on 7plus

Head Coach Mark Hager continues to assess the wider squad he put together late in 2024, with a view to announcing the final seven athletes to be named in the Kookaburras 2025 squad post-Argentina.
  
Hager has announced an 18-man line-up to take on hosts Argentina and Belgium in the next stage. The team retains five of the eight debutants who featured in Sydney, together with new Perth-born debutant Cam Geddes and the star trio of prolific goal scorer Blake Govers, Tim Brand, and Hayden Beltz, who all return to the squad after successful India Hockey League campaigns abroad.
  
“Sydney was very pleasing, our performances were competitive, and for a lot of the players, it was a good opportunity to play international hockey, and there were some good performances over the four games,” Mark said.
  
“We still have to improve our defensive structure. We conceded too many goals at times or had too many counter-attacks against us, but at the moment, we don’t want to fill the players’ heads with too much information.
  
“For many of these young players, they just love playing, and they’re playing with no fear and lots of freedom, and we want to encourage that.”
  
With the Kookaburras looking to defend their 2023/2024 FIH Pro League season title, Mark is keen to see how the new combination works with his fresh talent joining Kookaburra stalwarts Blake Govers, Tim Brand, and Hayden Beltz.
  
“Hayden’s had a great year; he trained well before he left for India, and he had a good season over there. It will be great to have his experience in the group, and I’m excited to see him play,” Mark said.
  
“Blake brings the drag flicking and the penalty corners as we know. We’re very excited to have him back for our set pieces in penalty corners, but also his ability to score field goals, that’s an asset, and it’ll be exciting to see him fit into our current style of play.”
  
Exciting Perth defender Cambell Geddes is set to make his dream Kookaburras debut in Santiago del Estero after a standout Liberty Hockey One League season with the Perth Thundersticks.
  
“To get the selection email and see that my name was on the list for Sydney and Argentina was incredibly exciting... it was only in the last year that I started having lows on my hockey journey. I had a hamstring injury, and then recently I did my calf, which saw me miss out on my debut in Sydney,” Cambell said.
  
“I think everything I’ve done, I’ve earned it, and I’ve worked hard, and I’m proud of myself for that and for never giving up, especially during the last year working through those injuries.
  
“Belgium and Argentina are going to be really high-quality games. I’m just excited to be a part of that and bring my skillset to the table and contribute to the team as much as I can.”
  
NSW goalkeeper Ash Thomas comes in for Mitch Nicholson as the Kookaburras selectors prepare to name the second-choice goalkeeper behind Jed Snowden.
  
“Picking the final seven players for our squad was always going to be tough. The ones that were here in Sydney showed they are capable of playing at this level,” Mark added.
  
“Some won’t head to Argentina with us, but now it’s about providing some quality international competition for the remainder of the squad before we have to make those final decisions.

“At the moment, we’re also focusing on how our group operates on and off the pitch. I've been very pleased with how the players respect each other and people outside of our group. And I think that's going to be a big bonus for us moving forward.”
  
The Kookaburras begin their campaign in Argentina against the hosts on 22 February before continuing a hotly anticipated rivalry with world number three, Belgium, on 23 February. The Kookaburras will face both teams twice. They then continue their FIH Pro League season in Europe and the UK.

Kookaburras FIH Pro League, Santiago del Estero Squad

*Players with an are in the Wider Kookaburras Squad

*Joel Rintala & Lachlan Sharp were unavailable for selection due to injury.

Kookaburras & Hockeyroos FIH Pro League Schedule

All times are AEDT

Friday, 21 February – 9.00am - Kookaburras v Argentina

                                  – 11.30am - Hockeyroos v Argentina

Saturday, 22 February – 9.00am - Kookaburras v Belgium

                                       – 11.30am - Hockeyroos v Belgium

Monday, 24 February – 9.00am - Kookaburras v Argentina

                                     – 11.30am - Hockeyroos v Argentina

Tuesday, 25 February – 9.00am - Kookaburras v Belgium

                                      – 11.30am - Hockeyroos v Belgium