Canberra's Kalindi Commerford couldn't have asked for a better introduction to international hockey.
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Surrounded by fellow ACT Strikers Anna Flanagan and Edwina Bone the Tuggeranong Vikings striker scored the first goal last month against New Zealand when the Hockeyroos went on to win 6-0.
Commerford had been overlooked by national selectors for years before finally forcing her way into the team with her form during the Australian Hockey League.
She played all six games during Australia's matches against New Zealand and India last week, starting in half of them and staking her claim for the Hockeyroos moving on from the Olympic Games.
At 23 and with the recent retirees from the national team she knew it might be now or never and she is hoping she has what it takes to solidify her spot in the green and gold as the next Olympic cycle comes around.
"I knew that with the retirees after Rio that the AHL would be big for selection so I thought this was potentially my last shot," Commerford said.
"But at the same time I wasn't thinking about it, I just wanted to play hockey and enjoy it.
"You never know which junior girls are nipping at your heels and everyone is so good so you don't know, I was pretty happy with my performance but there are definitely some areas to improve on."
Former Kookaburra Paul Gaudoin was announced as the new Hockeyroos coach last week, replacing Jason Duff, who oversaw the recent matches against India and New Zealand in a temporary capacity.
Gaudoin and new Kookaburras coach Colin Batch will be closely watched as they begin the next Olympic cycle, but despite the poor results in Rio and the controversies surrounding them Commerford said the harmony in the team is strong.
"It's the start of a new era and it seems like everyone wants to make it a really positive and supportive environment," Commerford said.
"It was a really good group of girls and it's an exciting time for the upcoming team, the general vibe is everyone wants to be really supportive of each other."
After waiting so long to make her debut she said having her Strikers teammates there was a plus.
"That was particularly special because I love playing with the Strikers at the AHL so to get to share that with a couple of ACT girls was really nice," Commerford said.
