SUPERSTAR Hockeyroo Nikki Hudson has shrugged off a poor lead-up to the Beijing Olympics by boldly predicting a medal play-off for her faltering team.

Hudson, 32, who will be playing in her fourth Olympic tournament, stepped off a plane from Kuala Lumpur in the small hours of this morning with a spring in her step.

"We came here with the highest expectations of ourselves," she said.