Keeper's Games dream dies as Sticks opt for sole stopper

HOCKEY
Disappointed, yes - but Tauranga's Stephen Graham is philosophical about his surprise exclusion from the Black Sticks men's hockey team for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Coach Shane McLeod last week took a huge gamble in naming just one goalkeeper in his 16-player squad, leaving no room for Graham, although the 25-year-old former Tauranga Boys College teacher said over the weekend he'd known for a month he wouldn't be adding to his 14 international caps in Delhi.
McLeod went with No 1 Kyle Pontifex but, with just 16 players allowed in the Games squad, he's opted for 15 field players to combat the expected heat fatigue from 30C-plus temperatures.
It's a risky move, particularly if Pontifex succumbs to illness or injury, although you won't hear Graham grumbling.
"Shane first discussed it [the possibility of missing out] with me a month ago when we were at the Four Nations tournament in Nottingham, so I've had time to process the reasoning behind it.
"While it would be awesome to be involved it wasn't a massive shock when my name wasn't read out."
Like football, hockey coaches rarely go to the reserves' bench to use their No 2 stoppers. Graham can recall just once in the handful of years he's been involved that McLeod had subbed him in mid-game.
"In a place like India, with the amount of running hockey players do and in that sort of heat, coaches need all 15 players in their arsenal with squads cut from the usual 18.
"Even though I'm the guy missing out I completely understand why the selectors have taken the decision."
Unlike the Olympics, where teams have can have two players living out of the village but on call as cover in case of injury, the closest Graham will get is watching the action on TV.
Midfielder Shea McAleese, a 118-game veteran, was the likely replacement in goal for the Black Sticks if Pontifex went down.
"That's the risk in the decision they've taken," Graham said, "but hopefully it won't come to that because Shea's such a key player in the field."
Graham didn't get on at all at the recent Champions Trophy in Germany, with Pontifex playing every minute of their six games. His aim is to put pressure on the No 1 during the upcoming national league, but it is likely he'll play second fiddle to Pontifex for a couple more years yet.
"I haven't spoken to Kyle about any future plans [beyond Delhi] but I figure he'll stay on until 2012 and the London Olympics. It's the pinnacle event for our sport and, being only two years away, it's worth hanging in for."
* Yesterday's NHL preseason games involving the Midlands men's and women's teams against Queensland in Tauranga were called off because of the persistent rain. On Friday in Rotorua Midlands women downed Queensland 2-1, with Tauranga's Dani Maunder netting, while the region's men's team lost 4-0.