EDDIE UP FOR TOP GONG

Tasmanian hockey superstar Eddie Ockenden has been shortlisted for yet another accolade after being nominated for the International Hockey Federation’s World Men’s Player of the Year award.

TASMANIAN Eddie Ockenden has been nominated for the International Hockey Federation’s World Men’s Player of the Year award.

Not since Ricky Ponting famously claimed the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2003 has a Tasmanian athlete been recognised as the world’s number one athlete in a team sport.

Ockenden led Australia to the inaugural FIH Pro League title in June and direct qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with the Oceania Cup title in September.

The 32-year-old has previously been put forward for the award in 2011 and 2014, while claiming the 2008 World Young Player of the Year award. Last month, Ockenden guided the Tassie Tigers to the Hockey One bronze medal and was named its Most Valuable Player.

The North-West Graduates product faces competition from Belgium’s Arthur Van Doren and Victor Wegnez, India’s Manpreet Singh, Argentina’s Lucas Vila and fellow national co-captain Aran Zalewski.

The winner will be announced in February, around the same time as Ockenden breaks Kookaburras legend Jamie Dwyer’s record of 365 international games en route to his fourth Olympic Games.

National associations, players, journalists and fans from across the world can vote to determine the winner.

“Votes from national associations — which will include some international players and coaches votes — will count for 50 per cent of the overall result, while fans and players (25 per cent) as well as media (25 per cent) will make the other half of the votes,” FIH said in a release. “The vote is open until 17 January 2020.”