Hockey Australia has joined forces with India to issue the sport's governing body a 'please explain' as they count the costs of the Hockeyroos' controversial Paris exit.
Australia's women had marched to the top of their pool in a near flawless group stage before being upset 3-2 by world No.5 China in Monday's quarter-final.
Retiring Hockeyroos captain Jane Claxton was highly critical of two video referral decisions against her team, one which led to China's decisive third goal and the other that robbed Australia of a penalty corner in the final seconds.
It marked the sixth consecutive Games they've fallen short of a top-four finish since claiming a third gold in four Olympics in Sydney.
It was a mighty blow for a program categorised as an unlikely Olympic medal chance three years ago, after claims of bullying triggered a review that sparked a complete overhaul of the squad and administration.
Insistent those issues have been resolved, Hockey Australia is now nervously waiting on a second round of national funding later this year.
Crucially, the Kookaburras' quarter-final loss to the Netherlands left hockey absent from the Olympics' shop window this week, robbing them of crucial mainstream exposure in Australia's ultra-competitive sporting landscape.
Hockey India had already demanded an official review by the Federation of International Hockey (FIH), citing three instances in their quarter-final defeat of Great Britain they believe "undermined confidence in the officiation process".
AAP has confirmed HA has joined them in seeking an overhaul of the video referral system and a separate 'please explain' regarding China's third goal and the overruled penalty corner in the closing stages of their gutting loss.
It's understood HA is pushing for a basketball-style review system conducted by the on-field referees on a pitch-side screen rather than a separate official.
India, Tokyo silver medallists and potential Paris bronze medallists, have re-emerged as a men's powerhouse that is expected to have positive commercial spin-offs for the sport.
AAP understands HA is considering exploring more overseas playing opportunities for their men's team in particular, who are expected to completely regenerate their ageing squad after the Tokyo bronze medallist's early Paris exit.
Entering as Pro League champions, they battled to find top gear and finished the tournament with losses to India and the Dutch.
There is a belief more knockout tournament play, rather than the round-robin style Pro League, would have better equipped the side for the high-stakes Olympic arena, where the Kookaburras netted a sole gold 24 years ago.
A new high-performance centre at their long-time Perth base is in the works, while Hockey Australia remain in dialogue with relevant authorities about an upgraded Queensland centre of excellence.
Brisbane will host the 2032 Games but the city, home to some of the country's greatest hockey talents, hasn't hosted international hockey since 1999.
The original proposal had set out the renovated Ballymore rugby stadium to host the sport on a temporary, drop-in pitch.
HA argued that didn't offer value for money or legacy value, with several other south east Queensland proposals now on the table.
