Hockey captain Mark Knowles has been named Australia's flagbearer at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The triple Commonwealth champion was a surprise choice ahead of fellow Queenslander Sally Pearson.
In his fourth and farewell Commonwealth Games, Knowles said it would be an "extremely, extremely proud moment" to carry the flag into Wednesday night's opening ceremony.
"This is amazing. I grew up playing a sport I absolutely love on the grass fields of Rockhampton and I stand here now in front of this group of absolute stars," he told a reception for the 710-strong team at a reception on the Gold Coast.
"It means everything to me."
The 34-year-old Kookaburras skipper, who previously carried the flag at the closing of the 2014 Glasgow Games, will retire after the Gold Coast Games.
"My journey's coming to an end but these 13 days are even more special now," he said.
Knowles' selection suggests Pearson, a Gold Coast local, may play a major role in the opening ceremony.
Pearson, a dual world hurdles champion and Olympic gold medallist, had earlier said she was available for any part organisers wanted her to play in the ceremony.
It was also announced that lawn bowler Karen Murphy would recite the athlete's oath at the opening ceremony.
