It was the Aussies first international tournament in two years due to the lack of competition opportunities due to COVID-19, and despite coming out strong they were unable to keep the European side at bay.

The opening minutes of the game saw an unstoppable Australian outfit score three unanswered goals, courtesy of Richie Campbell, George Ford and Tim Putt.

Campbell in his fourth Olympic Games led the Aussie scorers with a hat-trick of goals, and while the Australians maintained a narrow lead deep into the third quarter, Montenegro powered home.

Captain Aaron Younger led his side for the first time at an Olympics, also notching up his 200th cap for Australia.

While Younger admitted to the team being disappointed by the start to their Olympic campaign, he said they won’t let it deter them as they look ahead.

“We started off well and obviously lost concentration towards the end and let in some pretty bad goals,” Younger said.

“So we are going to focus on the defence now and we have a lot of positives to take away from the first half but there is a lot to work on as well.”

While the more experienced heads including the two four-time Olympians and three triple Olympians led from the front, Younger said he was impressed at how well the debutants stepped up.

“They did amazing. I think they did really well today, especially at the start they showed that they were ready and for this Olympics we just have to get that mood and atmosphere from the first half and work on a few things in that second half.

“Definitely a lot of positives to take out of it but there is definitely a lot we need to go and work on. It will be tough, we will finish this game, debrief about this game and then we can focus on the next game.”

The Aussie Sharks will now turn their focus to the second game where they will face Croatia on Tuesday 27 July at 8:50pm AEST. Croatia won the silver at Rio 2016 and were the champions at London 2012.

Results

• AUS-MNE: 5-4; 7-6; 8-10; 10-15
• AUSTRALIA: Campbell, Richard (3); Ford, George (1); Tomasevic, Goran (1); Power, Nathan; Edwards, Lachlan; Roach, Aidan; Younger, Aaron (2); Ford, Andrew; Putt, Tim (1); Howden, Blake (2); Dennerley, Joel (GK).

For full results breakdown - click here.