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Star Kookaburras striker Jamie Dwyer says the squad has complete trust and belief in Ric Charlesworth as the master coach attempts to usher in a new golden era in Australian men’s hockey.
Under previous coach Barry Dancer, the Kookaburras claimed gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens but only managed bronze last year in Beijing.
Charlesworth, who led the Hockeyroos to back-to-back Olympic gold medals during his eight-year stint in charge of the women’s national side, started his reign as coach of the Kookaburras with a 4-2 loss to the Netherlands on Monday.
The Kookaburras levelled the four-game series with a 4-2 win on Wednesday night and Dwyer said the squad would only continue to improve under the tutelage of Charlesworth.
“We are trying a few new things and we haven’t played together for a long time,” Dwyer said ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Dutch in Perth.
“A lot of guys haven’t played since the Olympics so you can’t come back and take it where you left off.
“You have to gradually build up and that definitely showed in the first game. Our basics weren’t that good.
“You just need to trust your coach … and we definitely trust him even though we are trying new things and different positions.
“We trust him and we believe we are going to become better hockey players individually and as a team.
“We have that belief in him.”
Dwyer, who turns 30 this year, said he was uncertain whether he would continue on to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
“I definitely want to go to the (2010) World Cup and have success there … and after that we’ll see what happens,” Dwyer said.
“A lot can happen in those four years, a lot can happen in six months.
“Look at someone like (cricketer) Matthew Hayden.
“He was hitting them brilliantly one day and then hit a form slump and had to retire.
“I think last year was one of the best years I played.
“Overall I really enjoyed my hockey so I was happy where I was last year but I need to keep improving because the game keeps improving, keeps getting faster.
“That’s why I’m happy Ric’s in control, he can guide me or teach me a few things I need to do to improve my hockey.”
AAP jsc/lf
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