KIERAN Govers has made himself available for the Kookaburras, as Hockey Australia prepares to review the disappointing Olympics campaign.
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Govers spent time considering his future after being overlooked for the Rio squad, even after proving his fitness in time to be selected.
The Kookaburras were knocked out in the quarter-finals, the team’s worst Olympics result since 1960.
The national team’s next assignment is in November, with a Four Nations campaign and Test series against India.
Govers had battled ongoing hamstring injuries related to a degenerative hip condition this year.
In the meantime, Govers will lead Albion Park’s charge for the Illawarra hockey title.
And they’ll have to take the most difficult route to the grand final, starting with a minor semi-final against Fairy Meadow Falcons on Sunday.
“I’ve been up and running for a few weeks now, training with NSWIS (Institute of Sport) and the Park boys,” Govers said.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, being able to play but missing the Olympics.
“I’ve enjoyed being back at Park, hopefully we can have an impact in the finals and get to the big one.”
Govers’ Kookaburras teammate Flynn Ogilvie, who also missed out on Olympics selection, has been flying back from Western Australia to qualify for Uni.
Tristan White, injured in the days before Australia flew out to Rio after being selected, has also been in the Students’ camp.
With brother Blake part of the Rio squad, Kieran maintained hope they could be part of Australias’ campaign in Tokyo in four years, even though he faces the prospect of a ceramic hip replacement as early as next year.
Kieran was part of the bronze medal winning team in London, but has had multiple surgeries to be able to play on with his hip problems.
“It’s a long way away,” Gover said of Tokyo.
“But obviously there’s part of me that just wants to play on and have more success, especially playing with Blake.
“The surgeons are confident I can play on, even if I have this hip replacement, and if they want me to play later this year, I’ve told them I’m available.”
Govers flies out to play with Dutch club Den Bosch the day after the Illawarra grand final.
Western Suburbs, threatening to end Uni and Albion Park’s recent duopoly, face their most searching test in the major semi-final against the Students on Sunday.
Elliot Ashby and Jack Rower have been among the standouts for Wests in their title push.
ILLAWARRA HOCKEY
Round 21 (final round): Mittagong 6 d Dapto 3, University 6 d Robertson 2, Wests 6 d Fairy Meadow 2.
Final ladder: University 48, Wests 44, Albion Park 39, Falcons 24, Mittagong 15, Robertson 12, Dapto 0.
Major semi-final: University v Wests, Illawarra Hockey Centre (3pm).
Minor semi-final: Albion Park v Fairy Meadow, Illawarra Hockey Centre (1.15 pm)