The Olympic-bound Hockeyroos have shone on their final game in Australia before the Paris Games with a morale-boosting victory but without the Perth Cup trophy they’d coveted.
The Aussie women beat Japan 3-0 in Sunday’s final match of the Perth International Festival of Hockey, but they had already been denied the series win by China, whose 2-2 draw against Australia A earlier was enough to earn them the trophy.
A goodly crowd at Perth Hockey Stadium turned out for the national team’s final match on home soil before July's Olympics and were rewarded by the Hockeyroos’ impressive win with goals from Claire Colwill, Rosie Malone and Maddi Brooks.
The Hockeyroos were ahead near the end of the first quarter with a penalty corner from Queensland’s Colwill as they dominated proceedings and could have gone two up when Steph Kershaw hit the post.
Malone eventually broke through again in the third quarter before helping seal the victory in the 51st minute with a shot that caused panic before Brooks nipped in to take advantage of a disorganised defence and nudge in the clincher.
It was a particular day of celebration for Jocelyn Bartram, NSW's goalkeeper who marked her 100th match for Australia with one brilliant save and a clean sheet.
"We spend a lot of time on the bench because sometimes as goalies there's only one position on the field so it is really special to reach a hundred," said the 30-year-old keeper from Albury.
"I was very, very nervous before the game. I just wanted to put my best foot forward for everyone who was coming down to watch me and all the support everyone has given me along the way in my journey.
"I just feel so grateful for every game I've got to play. To finally reach a hundred is something amazing and hope they've got a few more in the bank as well."
The Hockeyroos will continue their Olympic build-up in the Belgian leg of the FIH Pro League next month, when they take on hosts Belgium, Great Britain, Argentina and Germany.
