The highly anticipated opening round of the 2026 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) season kicked off with four days of intense competition across the country.
Catch up on all the highlights here…
UNSW Wests vs Victorian Phoenix
UNSW Wests Magpies kicked off their campaign to defend their title with back-to-back wins against the Victorian Phoenix.
Drew McJannett made the most of his debut for the club with seven goals across both games. UNSW Wests debutant Joshua Gould scored his first goal in the league in the club’s Friday night win 28-18.
The UNSW Wests Killer Whales also claimed two victories over the Phoenix in the opening two matches in away territory.
Griffith University Queensland Thunders vs Hunter Hurricanes
The Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder women’s team look eager to add a 2026 crown to their name with an emphatic start to the season. The defending champions won 20-5 and 18-5 in the two home games on Thursday and Friday. Queenslander Bless Daly showcased her scoring ability, hitting the back of the net 12 times across the two games. The Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder men’s team followed suit with two close victories against the Hurricanes on Thursday and Friday night.
UTS Balmain Tigers vs Fremantle Mariners/Marlins
With Daniel Lawrence celebrating his 400th AWL game, the UTS Balmain Tigers cliched a 19-14 victory in the milestone game on Thursday night. The second match between the Tigers and Mariners went down to the wire with the Mariners levelling up the score with a one point victory on Saturday.
In the women’s draw, the Tigers claimed two home victories against the Marlins, including a tight 7-6 win on Saturday.
Cronulla Sharks vs Drummoyne Devils
As the only two teams playing just two matches for the opening round, it was an ideal start for both the men’s and women’s Cronulla Sharks teams. It was wins all round for the Sharks with both teams going 2-0 against the Drummoyne Devils.
Sydney Uni Lions vs UWA Torpedoes
The Sydney Uni Lions women’s team were dominant in the opening round matches against the UWA Torpedoes. The Lions scored 19 goals in both matches, showing strong form to start the season.
The UWA Torpedoes flipped the script in the men’s league, claiming two victories against the Lions in enemy territory. UWA Torpedoes and former Ord Minnett Aussie Shark player George Ford played his 200th AWL match on Saturday night where he scored two goals in the team’s 15-11 win.
To see all the results from the opening round, click here.
2026 AWL Men’s Ladder
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UNSW Wests Magpies – 16 points
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Cronulla Sharks* – 8 points
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Fremantle Mariners – 12 points
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UWA Torpedoes – 12 points
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Victorian Phoenix – 8 points
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UTS Balmain Tigers – 8 points
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Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder – 8 points
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Drummoyne Devils* – 0 points
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Hunter Hurricanes – 0 points
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Sydney Uni Lions – 0 points
2026 AWL Women’s Ladder
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Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder – 16 points
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UTS Balmain Tigers – 16 points
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Cronulla Sharks* – 8 points
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Sydney Uni Lions – 12 points
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UNSW Wests Killer Whales – 8 points
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Hunter Hurricanes – 8 points
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Fremantle Marlins – 4 points
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Victorian Phoenix – 0 points
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Drummoyne Devils* – 0 points
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UWA Torpedoes – 0 points
*Teams that played only two matches in the opening round.
