A freak injury, more often associated with rugby league, has put an untimely bump on the road in front of Kookaburras striker Glenn Turner before next year's Olympic Games.
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The Canberra Lakers and Goulburn star will miss six months as he recovers from a torn pectoral muscle sustained in a training drill at an international tournament in Malaysia.
Turner, 30, who has played 114 Tests for Australia, went down awkwardly on his elbow while practising a penalty corner at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup earlier this month. He ripped the tendon off the bone..
Canberra Raiders prop David Shillington and Newcastle Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen are among the NRL players who have suffered a similar injury.
"It's obviously a freak injury, but hopefully I recover well and give myself a chance to return for the Olympics," Turner said.
Turner is resigned to missing the entire men's Capital League 1 season, but is aiming to return in time for the Australian Hockey League in Darwin at the end of September.
His next goal is to be part of the Kookaburras side for the World League in December, a build-up to next year's Olympic Games in Rio.
"No one's ever seen it before in hockey, it's more of a bench press injury," he said.
"It's unlucky, but hopefully I can use it as an advantage.
"It gives me a good rest off the legs and gives the ankles and knees a bit of a break.
"I then get back 10 months or so before the Olympics, that's enough time to get back."
Turner was on hand to see Goulburn continue its impressive early season form with an 8-2 victory against Old Canberrans on Friday night.
Central and Western Districts remained unbeaten. Central defeated St Pat's 4-2 and Wests hammered Tuggeranong 7-1.
Men's Capital League 1:
- Goulburn 8 bt Old Canberrans 2.
- Western Districts 7 bt Tuggeranong 1.
- Central 4 bt St Patrick's 1.
