Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 2:52 AM

Australia's men's hockey team has bounced back from a disappointing semi-final defeat to Spain to claim the bronze medal with a 6-2 win over the Netherlands.

After missing the chance to defend their Olympic gold from Athens, the Kookaburras turned on the skill early against their rivals from four years ago.

Young star Eddie Ockenden scored twice within six minutes before Des Abbott added another three minutes later.

The shell-shocked Dutch replied through penalty corner ace Taeke Taekema, his 12th goal of the tournament, and a field goal to Teun de Nooijer.

Australia went into the break leading 4-2 after a goal from Eli Matheson seven minutes before half-time and Rob Hammond added one more soon after resumption to make it 5-2.

Australia completed its scoring spree eight minutes from the end when Luke Doerner banged in a penalty corner.

Captain Bevan George said it was an impressive way to finish the tournament.

"We saved our best till last today," he said.

"I mean we played pretty well all tournament, disappointed with the semi-final (against Spain) but today everything just came together for us.

"I wish we'd played like that in the semi-final but absolutely rapt with the way the boys played today and you couldn't ask for a better finish."

He said it was disappointing not to have participated in the gold medal match.

"I think it was just the one performance really, in the semi-final," he said.

"In the end, we were just beaten by a better team in that semi-final but that's what you learn to live with and it will take a while to get over that performance, but we'll just move on and get on with the next one."

Australia's coach Barry Dancer added: "It took some time coming to grips with the semi-final defeat.

"We grieved for some time, dealt with our emotions and started to refocus.

"This is a team with comradeship, togetherness and unity and is well-placed going into 2010 and beyond."

The win bettered Australia's 6-3 triumph over Pakistan in a similar play-off for the bronze at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The Netherlands failed to win a medal for the first time in four successive Olympics, having won the title in 1996 and 2000 and a silver in Athens.

The loss meant the veteran Dutch trio of Teun de Nooijer, goalkeeper Guus Vogels and captain Jeroen Delmee return home empty-handed from their fourth and final Olympic appearance.

"We let ourselves down, embarrassed ourselves and our country," Taekema said.

"We may be gone, but we need to find players who will be hungry to reach for the top."