EXCLUSIVE: The major 'hoodoo' standing in the way of Hockeyroos as culture concerns mount

Australia will need to overcome a major "hoodoo" if they are to claim a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games according to former Hockeyroos star Georgie Parker.

While the majority of the build-up to Paris has centred around the omission of Rosie Malone, the squad are now ramping up their final preparations for their campaign.

The 26-year-old striker was snubbed by Katrina Powell and the selectors, raising plenty of eyebrows from the wider Aussie sporting community, while receiving plenty of support via social media after being left out.

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Malone made another Instagram post last week, admitting it had been a tough period to deal with but is looking towards the future.

"The last few weeks have been extremely difficult and it still doesn't feel real, but I am totally overwhelmed by all the help and messages of support I've received," she said.

"Those messages have been what has got me through the hardest days, particularly last week when I flew back to Perth to play in the Australia A team with the development squad in matches against the Olympic team to help with their preparation for Paris.

"I'm not sure what's next for me, but I wanted to say thank you and I am looking forward to spending time at home to process and rebuild."

The selection bombshell and the reaction that followed, prompted the Hockeyroos to release a statement defending the culture within the national set-up.

However, according to former Olympian and current media personality Parker, the absence of Malone's signature made it an odd move.

"It was a very weird statement," she told Wide World Of Sports.

"I've spoken to a lot of girls that I played with about this statement, because it was signed by everyone but two girls who didn't make the team. I think the culture comes from the wider playing group, not just from the team that is playing.

"It was a very strange memo to release and I'm not sure what the point of it was.

"Culture is really important and you need to have a united group ... I just found it strange that it was everyone except the person in question."

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After finishing in fifth place at Tokyo 2020, sixth at Rio 2016 and fifth at London 2012, the upcoming Olympic campaign is crucial for the green and gold.

Parker acknowledged that while the dominance of the Netherlands will be too big a mountain to climb for the Hockeyroos, they need to secure a medal in Paris - even if it means releasing the strangely-timed joint statement.

"They have to do what they think they have to do inside of their walls," she said.

"It's really important that we medal, it's been a really long time since we have, but it's been a really awkward shake-up, which has not been a good thing for the team. Whatever they need to do to unite themselves is important … they've got a big job.

"The gold medal is locked up with Holland, I don't see anybody topping them. The important thing for the Hockeyroos is to avoid them as long as you can in finals and then hopefully snag a silver or bronze along the way.

"They had that really shock defeat against India in the quarter finals in Tokyo and I think that's been our hoodoo the past two Olympics. Once you get past the quarter finals and into the semis, you're guaranteed a medal opportunity.

"For me, a silver or bronze would be an excellent achievement for this side and if you put yourself in a gold medal match, anything can happen."

Australia will take on South Africa in their opening game in Paris on July 28.