On May 22nd the Olympic squad consisting of 18 players gathered in Sydney for a week of preparatory training before heading off to Japan to contest the preliminary rounds  of the Asian group of the 2008 WL.

Fifteen players were selected to travel to Tokyo. A decision was made to 'rest' some of the senior players- Thomas Whalan and James Stanton due to late completion of European league and Trent Franklin. Players were informed that their performances over the course of the training camp and in the games in Japan would be scrutinised and assessed to determine selection for the ongoing upcoming events including the World League finals and of course the Olympics.

The competition went as expected with Australia winning all 8 matches and advancing to the finals to be contested in Genoa, Italy June 2008.

Team:
Goal Keepers;
Luke Quinlivan (UWA Torpedoes)
Raf Sterk (KFC Breakers)
Centre Backs;
Richard Campbell (Wests waterpolo Magpies)
Anthony Martin (KFC Breakers)
Rob Maitland (Sydeny University Lions)
Sam McGregor (Sydney University Lions)
Centre Forwards;
Jamie Beadsworth (Fremantle Mariners)
Ryan Moody (Victorian Tigers)
Gavin Woods (Balmain Tigers)
Drivers;
John Cotterill (Wests waterpolo Magpies)
Pietro Figlioli (KFC Breakers)
Rhys Howden (Brisbane Barracudas)
Tim Neesham (Victorian Tigers)
Nicholas O'Halloran (Fremantle Mariners)
Grant Richardson (Drummoyne Devils)

Results:
•     Australia 25 (A Martin 4, N O'Halloran, R Howden, J Cotterill, G 
Richardson 3, T Neesham, S McGregor 2, R Campbell, P Figlioli, R 
Maitland, G Woods, J Beadsworth)
•     Australia 10 (P Figlioli 4, R Campbell, A Martin, S McGregor, R 
Howden, J Cotterill, G Richardson) Japan 5.
•     Australia 18 (R Campbell 3, N O'Halloran, P Figlioli, T Neesham, S 
McGregor, G Woods, J Cotterill 2, R Moody, A Martin, R Howden) Iran 2.
•     Australia 14 (J Beadsworth 4, T Neesham, S McGregor 2, R Campbell, R
Maitland, A Martin, R Howden, G Woods, J Cotterill) China 6.
•    Australia 20 Iran 1
•    Australia 19- China 6
•     Australia 13 (G Woods 4, G Richardson 3, R Moody 2, P Figlioli, A 
Martin, T Neesham, S McGregor) Japan 6
•     Australia 16 (R Howden 3, N O’Halloran, R Maitland, R Moody, S 
McGregor, G Richardson 2, J Beadsworth, J Cotterill, P Figlioli) New 
Zealand 4,

Final points: Australia 24, China 18, Japan 12, New Zealand 2, Iran 1.

Given the relative strength of the opposing teams and the early stages of our Olympic preparation, the two week block was utilised as an opportunity to conduct routine physiological testing of players both in and out of the water, and the squad underwent a solid period of conditioning. As a result, the players were sometimes playing games in a fatigued state, however in the overall process of the preparation this period was seen identified as an important phase of our conditioning program. I also took the opportunity to further experiment with a variety of game plans and positional adjustments throughout the week long competition.

Whilst press defence remains our best option of defence, we still need to improve our transitional 'assisting' and blocking defence (zone) especially against  teams with powerful centre-forwards. In attack, a variety of systems were utilised to encourage active  participation particularly from the wing (2m side) players. Players were also designated specific roles within the game plan and their effectiveness and contributions were evaluated on a daily basis.

At the completion of the tournament, I had the difficult decision of informing 3 players that they would be 'cut'  from the World League finals touring team, thus reducing the Olympic squad to 15.

The particular players: Ryan Moody, Nic O'Halloran and Grant Richardson, were all valuable contributors to the teams success in Japan, however their performances in this tournament, the training camp and  that of  the last 12 months had to be judged and compared to that of similar positional players. Unfortunately  for them, other 
players were identified as being more effective in similar roles.  All players who were 'cut' from the squad were requested to 'train-on' in the chance that they may be called up if injury, illness or other circumstances prevailed in the upcoming months involving the 15 squad members selected for Europe.

Monday, 30 June 2008
12:06 AM

Following a brief rest period the squad assembled in California for a week of scrimmaging and 3 official matches with the US national team.

After overcoming a sluggish start in which we lost the 1st game 6-4, we managed to put better games together in the following matches winning by 2 and 4 goals respectively. The Amercian's proved to be worthy training partners and it took our players 2 or so days to adjust to the increased tempo and pressure to that of the Asian leg of the WL. Daily player monitoring showed that jet lag also contributed to the effects of fatigue, having travelled Japan-Australia- USA in the space of 5 days. The matches were also played as part of a travelling road show which included a 7 hr hire bus journey from LA up to San Francisco and back via Santa Barbara.

Scores:
Game 1: USA 6  Australia 4 (T Whalan 2, S McGregor, J Beadsworth).
Game 2:  AUS: 11 (1, 3, 4, 3) P. Figlioli 2, G. Richardson 2, R. 
Maitland 1, T. Neesham 1, T. Whalan 1, G. Woods 1, J. Cotterill 1, J. 
Beadsworth 1, S. McGregor) USA: 9 (4, 1, 1, 3)
Game 3: Aus 9- (T. Whalan 3, P. Figlioli 2, T. Neesham 1, G. Woods 1, 
A. Martin 1, J. Beadsworth 1)  USA 5 (2-1, 2-3, 2-0, 3-1)

Following USA, we then travelled to Genoa, Italy to contest in the finals of the World League.

An easy opponent 1st game up (Egypt) provided no difficulties and we managed to play our 2nd shut-out (opposition scored no goals) in 2 weeks following on from the 26-0 win over NZ in the WL preliminaries. 

The 2nd game was a tough encounter against Canada, who showed at this tournament that they will worthy Beijing opponents. Nevertheless we scored a comfortable 4 goal victory. A victory over the Greek team, which was made up of mostly junior players, ensured us a spot in the semi-finals for the 2nd year running.

The most disappointing match we played on tour was no doubt our 4th game against Serbia. After skipping out to a 3-1 lead late in the 1st quarter, we then conceded 9 goals in a row. Some players found it hard to 'step-up' to withstand the increased physical pressure the Serbians projected upon us and certain individuals must improve this aspect of their play if they are selected for Beijing.

The semifinal against USA was a close fought encounter and disappointing from the point of view that we had beaten the USA so easily in the last week. We never got in front at any stage in the  game, coming from 2 behind in the last 1/4 to force a penalty shoot-out to decide who would progress to the Grand Final. 
Unfortunately for us 2 players failed to make the US GK have to save their shots, not puting the ball inside the frame. Consequently we lost by a goal with the Americans scoring 4/5.

The bronze medal game against a full strength Montenegro was a hard fought battle, with us once again coming from behind in the last quarter. This time however the team showed great courage and determination to secure a tight 1 goal victory- a great fillip for the Olympics with Montenegro being our final opponent in the round games in Beijing.

Results:
Day 1:  Australia 21 (P Figlioli 3, R Campbell, R Maitland, A Martin, T Neesham, S McGregor, T Whalan, G Woods, J Cotterill 2, T Franklin, J Beadsworth) Egypt 0,
Day 2: Australia 11 (J Beadsworth 3, P Figlioli, A Martin, T Whalan 2, R Maitland, G Woods) Canada 7,
Day 4: Australia 13 (G Woods 3, T Whalan 2, J Stanton, R Campbell, T Franklin, P Figlioli, A Martin, S McGregor, J Cotterill, J Beadsworth) Greece 9,
Day 5: Serbia 11 Australia 5 (T Franklin, P Figlioli, T Neesham, S McGregor, T Whalan),
Semi Final: USA 11 Australia 10 (R Campbell, P Figlioli 3, T Neesham 2, T Whalan, T Franklin) in penalty shootout (FT: 7-7);
Bronze Medal Game:
Australia 8 (P Figlioli 2, T Franklin, R Maitland, A Martin, T Neesham, T Whalan, G Woods) Montenegro 7;
Final placings: Serbia, USA, Australia, Montenegro, Spain, Canada, Italy, Greece, China, Egypt.

The final week of the tour saw the team travel to Barcelona, Spain for a period of common training/scrimmages and 3 official games. I wanted to use this opportunity to further condition the players as well as getting some valuable game practise against another of our Olympic opponents. The Spanish were in the final phase of their preparation for the European championships and were once again worthy training opponents. Our players had to deal with playing whilst fatigued, which was my intention to induce before the week rest.

The series of games was evenly contested with each team recording a win, loss and draw.

Results:
AUS 9 - ESP 9
Qtr Scores: 0-0; 4-3; 3-4; 2-2.
Goal scorers: Franklin 3, Maitland 2, Beadsworth, Cotterill, Martin, Whalan 1.
Goalkeepers (Goals/saves): Sterk 3/5, Quinlivan 6/7
Extraman: AUS 1/6, ESP 5/8

Game 2 – 26th June
AUS  10 - ESP 7
Qtr Scores: 3-2; 2-3; 1-1; 4-1.
Goal scorers: Figlioli, Franklin, Neesham, Whalan 2, Campbell, McGregor.
Goalkeepers (Goals/saves): Stanton 5/5, Sterk 2/4
Extraman: AUS 1/2, ESP 3/8.

Game 3 ­ 27th June
AUS 8 - ESP 12

Qtr Scores: 3-5; 3-2; 2-2; 0-3.
Goal scorers: Whalan 3, Figlioli 2, Beadsworth, Campbell, Howden 1.
Goalkeepers (Goals/saves): Quinlivan 7/4, Quinlivan 5/3
Extraman: AUS 3/7, ESP 5/7

The most important and difficult task to do in this last week was to inform a field player and goal-keeper they were being cut from the Olympic team. It was certainly no easy decision and many hours were spent scrutinizing the player's performances and likely match-ups and degree of value against our Olympic opponents.

Unfortunately for Johnno Cotterill and Luke Quinlivan, they were the unlucky players who both staked very strong claims for selection. The decision was largely weighted on performances whilst overeas and the common theme that contributed to their omissions was consistency under pressure.  Both players are young and I have outlined my expectations and roles for them as an integral part of the team moving forward beyond Beijing.

The Olympic squad returned home for a week of rest before resuming a 5 week block of training in the lead-up to the 1st game on August 10th.