Kookaburras star Jamie Dwyer's hockey comeback faces baby dilemma

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/26/kookaburras-star-jamie-dwyers-baby-dilemma

Version 0 of 1.

Kookaburras great Jamie Dwyer endured days of uncertainty before deciding to shelve retirement plans and vie for a record-equalling fourth Olympic hockey campaign at Rio.

But that pales in comparison to the dilemma Dwyer is now facing as he prepares to launch his international comeback.

The 36-year-old says he may have to rethink leaving with the first Kookaburras squad he has made since last June as he awaits the birth of his third child.

Dwyer looked set to overtake Jay Stacy (321 games) and become the most capped Kookaburra after being included in the 18-man squad for the upcoming six-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia.

He is also committed to pushing for a Rio berth and joining the Kookaburras’ elite four Olympics club after reaching a career crossroads last October.

But the five-time World Player of the Year admits right now family may have to come first.

"The baby was due last week," Dwyer told AAP.

"I am hoping the child arrives soon otherwise I think my wife will be asking why I am leaving.

"If it comes in the next few days, I will be right to go away.

"If it doesn’t, I will have to reassess the situation.

"Hopefully it doesn’t come to that."

Dwyer is due to fly out next Thursday in his first Kookaburras squad since starring in their 2014 World Cup winning campaign.

The future looked grim for Dwyer when he was controversially overlooked for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and missed the Champions Trophy last December due to a four month foot injury.

However, days of soul searching in October and an encouraging chat with new Kookaburras coach Graham Reid in December convinced him to bid for a fourth Olympics.

"It wasn’t a hard road to get back into the squad once I decided that I was not going to retire," Dwyer said.

"I thought about it for a number of days in October, then I later had a chat with the coach and said ’I want to go for it’."

Asked if Rio was the goal, Dwyer said: "Yes, otherwise I would have stopped playing - after that I will call it quits.

"I think I have a good chance to get there if I stay fit - I will give it everything I got."

Dwyer is chuffed to have the outright games record in sight but looks forward to simply donning the green and gold again.

"For me it is not about breaking the record, it’s about team success," Dwyer said.

"Just getting to wear the green and gold again after such a long time will be special.

"I think my record will be broken one day by Eddie Ockenden (231 games by age 27).

"But to hold it for a while will be a great honour."