Jamie Dwyer to lead Australian hockey team at Olympics

Five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer will spearhead the Australian men's pursuit of gold at next month's London Olympics, it was announced on Monday.

The 33-year-old is heading for his third Games and scored the golden goal that earned Australia -- the current World Cup holders -- the Olympic title in Athens eight years ago.

"I'm so honoured to be named in the team," Dwyer said. "The Olympics only come around every four years and it's such a long road to get there, it's really a fantastic feeling."

Dwyer will lead a team of 16 to London, with 10 Olympic debutants, for an Australian side that is ranked number one in the world and strongly tipped for Olympic glory.

Apart from Dwyer, more seasoned campaigners include Mark Knowles, Liam De Young, Eddie Ockenden, Des Abbott and Fergus Kavanagh.

"We've got a few experienced guys on the team," Dwyer said. "The young guys look up to us and come to me for advice, and that's good.

"It's good for us to have the young guys on the team too, we'll feed off their energy."

The Kookaburras, under coach Ric Charlesworth, are widely expected to repeat the success of previous Games -- they are the only Australian sports team to win a medal at each of the last four Olympics.

"There is not much difference between us and the rest of the world," Dwyer cautioned.

"The competition is so close and it sure isn't easy to be at the top of the game.