Australian Stephanie Kershaw breaks away from Anouk Raes of Belgium during the Fintro Hockey World League last July.
Camera IconAustralian Stephanie Kershaw breaks away from Anouk Raes of Belgium during the Fintro Hockey World League last July. Credit: Supplied/Steve Bardens/Stringer

Commonwealth Games 2018: Hockeyroo Kershaw raring to go ahead of first Games

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

STEPHANIE Kershaw says she is now completely over the injury that wrecked her chance of competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Kershaw was sidelined from hockey for 14 months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

“I think I was lucky because mine was an impact injury, so I think I could trust myself a little easier than some people that injure theirs running,” she said.

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“But it is pretty scary because you have to learn how to walk again and learn to trust that knee again.

“Physically I was fine after 14 months but mentally it was probably two years.”

The Queenslander, one of 10 Commonwealth Games debutants in the Australian squad, said she took some time to feel comfortable again.

“I was pretty nervous how I would go after the injury,” she said.

“I wasn’t trying to think about that too much but I’m super happy to be where I am now.”

Where she is now is on the cusp of a Commonwealth Games debut.

The fifth-ranked Hockeyroos have banked the last three gold medals at the Games, and Kershaw said Australia had the squad to do it again on the Gold Coast.

She said the team would look to play an attacking style to achieve that goal, which was perfect for her.

“Personally I just want to do my bit for the team,” she said.

“I think if I just play my role and try and bring some exciting hockey to the game I think I’ll be pretty happy.”

Australia opens its account against Canada on April 5.

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