Hockey: Melbourne to host 2012 Champions Trophy

MELBOURNE: Australia will defend their men's Champions Trophy field hockey crown on home soil this year with Melbourne Tuesday named as host city.

The Kookaburras will be chasing an unprecedented fifth straight title at the December 1-9 event which features the top five teams from last year's Champions Trophy, the winner of the Champions Challenge and two invitees.

"Being the first international event following the London Olympics is a fantastic opportunity for all sports lovers to come out to watch the best of the best in our sport," said Hockey Australia chief executive Mark Anderson.

"Regardless of the results in London, we are guaranteed to have the gold medal champions here on show in Melbourne, just three months after the world's biggest sporting event is conducted."

Last year, the Kookaburras defeated Spain in a thrilling final 1-0 in Auckland with Eddie Ockenden sealing the win. (AFP)