Hockeyroos player Rosie Malone has posted an emotional statement on social media after being left out of Australia's squad for the Paris Olympic Games.
Malone was controversially left out of the 16-player squad for the upcoming Games, announced on Monday by coach Katrina Powell, despite playing in 21 of Australia's 22 internationals this year.
The 26-year-old was not even named among the three travelling reserves.
The decision left shock waves across the hockey world, with former Hockeyroo Kalindi Commerford telling the ABC she was "in disbelief" at the "odd" decision made by the selectors.
The Hockey Australia media release announcing the team did state that the squad "is subject to an ongoing appeal by a non-nominated athlete. Any updates will be communicated in line with that process."
However, that appeal appears to be over after Malone posted to Instagram, detailing her disappointment at not going to a second Games.
"At the time [the video was filmed] I had no idea my Olympic spot was in jeopardy," she wrote.
"When I watched it back a few days ago, I realised I saw a girl sitting there feeling like no matter what she did, what she achieved, what she gave back to sport and to the people around her, for some of them, nothing was ever going to be good enough.
"I've kept my head down, worked hard and done everything my coaches asked me to do this year, even to the point of changing my natural game 'for the good of the team'."
She added that she is "not injured, not pregnant, not battling with any other issues stopping me from performing on and off field" and she has "good relationships" with her teammates.
Under a list of her achievements, including that she was named as one of the five best players in the world in 2023, the first time in eight years an Australian has made the list, she wrote that she could have done nothing more to earn selection.
"What defines good enough? I honestly don't even know any more."
The 114-time international has played at every tournament bar one for Australia since her debut in 2018, appearing at the Tokyo Olympics and in the last two World Cups for the Hockeyroos.
She also won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
The fifth-ranked Hockeyroos finished in sixth place in the recent FIH Pro League with seven wins, seven defeats and two draws.
Australia won four of their last six matches, with Malone scoring the winner in a 3-2 victory over Great Britain in London.
Malone was the only player involved in that match to miss out on selection.
The Hockeyroos had recovered from a run of four-straight defeats, including a 5-0 reverse against second-ranked Argentina.
"If I could turn back the clock even just a few short months I would say to my younger self, 'Those who truly know you see your value and what you bring. Don't waste energy trying to make those who don't, happy,'" Malone wrote.
"'If someone is trying to change things about you, or the way you do things, and your instincts scream 'no' … trust your instincts. Have courage. Stay fearlessly authentic. And remember … The wind blows strongest at the top of the mountain'".
"Despite what's happened, I really do wish my teammates every success at the Games," she added.
"I believe we can medal & I hope they have an amazing experience."
When the final Olympic squad was announced, a group of 20 players calling themselves "Current Hockeyroos" — all 16 Paris-bound squad members and two of the three travelling reserves but excluding Malone and reserve player Aleisha Power — released a statement on social media stating that the squad were committed to upholding the values of the team.
"As current members of the Hockeyroos we believe that we are building a professional, welcoming and understanding culture that supports each other throughout the highs and lows of a high-performance environment," they wrote.
"We hold our Hockeyroos values in high regard and believe we live these out as humans, players and teammates to the best of our ability."
