(Alistair Hogg is a Back Page Lead contributor on hockey.)

While past tournaments have not necessarily been fruitless (the team medalled on eight consecutive occasions), the prestigious winner's silverware has not adorned the Kookaburra's trophy cabinet since 1986.

In fact, half of the squad that lifted the trophy in New Delhi this weekend were just one year old (or not even born) when the World Cup was last held by Australia. It is a monumental achievement by this group and one they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Not only did the Kookaburras reinforce Australia as a hockey superpower, they did it by beating the No.1-ranked team in the world.

The Germans have been nothing short of dominant in recent years. They are the current Olympic champion, Champions Trophy runners-up and before this week, the two-time defending World Cup champion.

A quick start was vital for the Aussies and it was young Eddie Ockenden that found the net after a goalmouth scramble just six minutes in. The goal seemed to give Australia confidence who applied relentless pressure for most of the first half, but couldn't add to their lead.

Germany stepped up a gear early in the second half but like it has been so many times between these sides in the past, it was proving to be a defensive battle.

A key turning point came at the 48-minute mark when Australia gave away a needless scoring opportunity.

After committing an innocuous foul just outside the circle, Fergus Kavanagh knocked the ball away, resulting in an instant penalty corner to the defending champions.

Moritz Furste accepted the gift from Australia, burying a well executed variation to breathe new life in to the contest and get his nation's World Cup defence back on track.

Germany took the ascendancy and were unlucky not to take the lead when another corner was deflected over the net and another cannoned into the pads of goalkeeper Nathan Burgers.

Approaching the hour mark, Des Abbott won a penalty corner and with specialist drag flicker Luke Doerner on the bench, Australia moved swiftly to sub him on.

The referee was quick to react and prevent Doerner from taking to the field, but his decision was overruled by the technical match referee who deemed it to be a legal substitution.

What a critical call that turned out to be (and one that may result in this particular interchange loophole being closed). Right on cue, Doerner stepped up to fire home the go-ahead goal. It was the fullback's eighth of the World Cup which was enough to share World Cup goal scoring honours with Dutch champion Taeke Taekema.

But more importantly, it gave Australia a cushion, albeit a slight one, to see out the final 10 minutes and clinch their first World Cup in two-and-a-half decades and produce scenes of jubilation led by captain Jamie Dwyer (pictured above, centre, holding the winner's trophy.)

While 2010 marked the first World Cup for the majority of this Kookaburras squad, it was still sweet revenge over a dominant team that had pipped Australia for the trophy by a single goal in both 2002 and 2006; particularly for those veterans who had been there and now know what it's like to be a world champion.