Eddie outdoes himself
Tigers captain’s accolade breaks another record
IT’S A NICE AWARD TO REFLECT ON. ALTHOUGH WE WOULD HAVE ALL LIKED TO HAVE MADE THE FINAL TO GIVE IT A CRACK EDDIE OCKENDEN
TASSIE hockey star Eddie Ockenden has broken another national record, this time his own, claiming the 2019 Hockey One Player of the Tournament award for the third-placed Tigers.
Ockenden claimed thirteen votes across the six-game home and away season to claim his fifth victory, following previous wins in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and edged him further clear of Jay Stacy (3).
Tasmanian Matthew Wells, along with Mark Knowles, Bevan George and Simon Orchard are the only other multiple winners since the Australian Hockey League, now Hockey One, began in 1991.
“I actually didn’t know to be honest (about the record) but I think scoring a few goals in our wins probably got a few votes, but I actually thought we have a very even spread of excellent players,” Ockenden said.
“It’s a nice award to reflect on. It’s nice to know I can fit into and lead the team as best as possible, although we would have all liked to have made the final to give it a crack.”
Despite operating as a midfielder and more recently a defender for Australia, Ockenden believes operating as captain and playing as a striker suits both him and the Tigers line-up.
“I love to teach the younger guys about the game and what we need to do so I think that helps in terms of my own performance,” Ockenden said.
“I think it suits our team best when I play forward because I’m very attacking and aggressive which I love to do and play very much instinctively.”
Ockenden, 33, aims to appear at his fourth Olympics in Tokyo next year but he has no career end date with either Tassie or the Kookaburras.
“Everything is going okay now so there’s no rush, so while I’m enjoying playing, I’ll try to keep that going for Australia.”
“But I will definitely reflect on this era we’ve had with the Tigers and being able to contribute to our three bronze medals and a gold medal in the last six years is incredible and feels the best for me.”
His Tigers coach Andrew McDonald certainly hasn’t noticed any signs of Ockenden slowing down.
“Eddie had an amazing Hockey One. He is the sort of player that entertains both his teammates and the crowd, but he is a also major headache for any opposition,” McDonald said.