'One of the best in the world.'
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That's what former Hockeyroo veteran and commentator Georgie Parker said about Parkes' Mariah Williams, moments before she set up Australia's first goal in their game against China on Monday afternoon.
Williams was injected in the Hockeyroos squad for their second game in the Tokyo Olympics to immediate effect; drawing multiple Chinese defenders every time she so much as looked at the ball.
Australia immediately looked more dangerous with Williams' inclusion, despite winning their opening game against Spain comfortable on Sunday morning.
Parker lauded the Parkes native's skill, athleticism and brute strength on a number of occasions and fortunately the dreaded commentator's curse didn't strike.
Williams looked fresh, fit and firing, and 'bullied her way through' the Chinese defence multiple times according to Parker, who played a number of tests for the Hockeyroos with Williams.
Australia looked so dangerous right from the start, attacking at every occasion and the Hockeyroos were clearly ready for the overhead tactics of China.
The first goal came one minute into the second term after a desperate, lunging pass from Williams fell into Emily Chalker's lap on the far post, before the 251 game veteran notched up another goal just five minutes later.
With the Hockeyroos finding acres of space through the midfield Williams, who spent the entire match at the top of Australia's formation, was causing all kinds of issues for China's defence, who were almost powerless to stop the striker's dynamic combination with Chalker, Amy Lawton, Savannah Fitzpatrick and Rosie Malone.
Malone scored Australia's fourth goal with six minutes remaining in the game, and who set up the goal with a perfectly weighted cross?
You guessed it, Mariah Williams.
Reckon we're proud of our Hockeyroo superstar?
You betcha.
What a magnificent role model she is for Parkes, the Wiradjuri people and our entire nation.
The Hockeyroos continued to pile on the pressure, and incredibly notched up another two goals in the late stages of the game, giving the green and golds another massive win on the back of the Kookaburras 7-1 win over India.
The Hockeyroos have a day off today before playing the host nation on Wednesday night at 7.30pm.
HOCKEYROOS 3 (Malone 31', Chalker 32', Stewart 37', 66' goals) defeated SPAIN 1 (Perez 33')
HOCKEYROOS 6 (Chalker 16', 22', Peris 31', Malone 54', Kershaw 56', Stewart 58' goals) defeated CHINA 0
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