Aussie Sharks
Australia’s men’s national water polo team, now known as the Ord Minnett ‘Aussie Sharks’, are one of the nation’s oldest sporting teams with a proud and impressive history. Today, they are internationally recognised as tough, talented and able to beat any team on their day.
The Aussie Sharks went agonisingly close to their first Olympic medal at the Paris 2024 Games, making the quarterfinals for the first time in over a decade. The current squad are focused on the 2026 World Cup Finals in Sydney (July), the 2027 World Championships in Budapest, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Captain: Nathan Power
Head Coach: Tim Hamill
Current Squad
Nathan Power
NSW
Laurence Barker
NSW
Marcus Berehulak
NSW
Nic Bicari
NSW
Matthew Byrnes
NSW
Blake Edwards
VIC
Angus Lambie
NSW
Milos Maksimovic
NSW
Jacob Mercep
NSW
Charlie Negus
NSW
Nic Porter
QLD
Tim Putt
NSW/WA
Proud history of the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks
The Australian Men’s water polo team, are one of Australia’s oldest sporting teams, having first competed internationally in 1907 against New Zealand.
Since their Olympic debut at London 1948, they have steadily improved to become an international force. They placed fifth at two Olympics (Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992). At Paris 2024, they reached the quarterfinals and went so close to competing for an Olympic medal.
The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks’ have won three medals on the world stage. They’re best World Championship finish was in 1998 when fourth in Perth.
Medals on the world stage
World Cup Bronze — Athens, Greece
The year after their breakthrough fifth at the Olympic Games, they won their first global medal at the World Cup in Athens, Greece.
World Cup Silver - Berlin, Germany
After defeating World Champions Croatia in the quarterfinals and host nation Germany in the semi-finals, the Aussie Sharks lost to a formidable Hungarian team in the final.
World League Bronze - Belgrade, Serbia
After a penalty shootout win over Hungary in the quarterfinals, Australia lost to eventual winners Serbia in the semis and then bounced back to beat Spain and claim the bronze by one goal. Australia's best World Championship finish was fourth at the 1998 World Championships in Perth.
2026 World Cup Finals – Sydney
Long, challenging and proud Olympic history
It has been a long, proud and, at times, dramatic journey for the Australian men’s water polo team at the Olympic Games. They have competed at every Olympic Games since 1948, except for Mexico City 1968 and Atlanta 1996. In 1968, they qualified but were not nominated by the Australian Olympic Federation (now Committee). For Atlanta 1996, there was no Oceania spot, and the Australian team failed to qualify, despite finishing fifth at Barcelona 1992 and achieving World Cup bronze in 1993.
From Sydney 2000 to Paris 2024, they have continued to beat top nations and push ever closer to that elusive Olympic medal. Could it come at Los Angeles 2028 or Brisbane 2032?
London – Olympic debut
Australia made its long-awaited Olympic debut. In London and the next four Games they were unable to win an Olympic match.
Mexico City – the drama of non-selection
International drama unfolded in the days before the Games. The Australian men's team had been granted a spot by the international federation but were not allowed to compete. They achieved the Oceania spot but the Australian Olympic Federation wouldn't nominate them, wanting to limit the size of the total Australian Olympic Team. The IOC had to step in and confirm that only National Olympic Committees can nominate teams. The Australian squad were already in Mexico City, having paid their own way following a European tour. They were not allowed to compete, but the Australian Olympic Team Manager did give the players daily access to the Village, despite not being officially part of the Team.
Munich to Moscow – first wins, building the foundations
Los Angeles and Barcelona - fabulous fifths
At Los Angeles 1984 they were fifth among the 12 teams. Peter Montgomery was the captain at his fourth and final Games. At Seoul 1988, with all nations competing after two Games of boycotts, Australia were eighth. At the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, Australia recorded two wins and a draw in the pool stage, then defeated Cuba and Hungary in the 5th–8th classifications to place fifth with an outstanding performance.
Atlanta - qualification disappointment
There was no Oceania spot for Atlanta 1996, and despite strong results in the lead-up at the qualifying tournament the Aussie Sharks lost crucial matches. They bounced back well to finish fourth at the 1998 World Championship in Perth, a confidence builder on the countdown to Sydney 2000.
Sydney to Tokyo – competitive at every Games
At Sydney 2000, the Aussie Sharks finished eighth – one win and two draws in the pool, with strong showings against eventual silver and bronze medalists Russia and Yugoslavia. In Athens in 2004, they finished ninth, outside the top eight for the first time since 1980. At Beijing 2008, following World League Super Finals bronze, the Aussie Sharks again finished eighth, losing three games by a single goal – their defining moment was a 13–12 loss to eventual champions Hungary.
London 2012 brought a quarterfinal appearance, going down to eventual bronze medallists Serbia 11–8 before winning over USA to finish seventh. Rio 2016 saw a ninth-place finish after failing to advance from the pool. Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 due to COVID-19) produced a ninth-place finish, missing the quarterfinals on goal difference despite a victory over Croatia.
Paris – agonisingly close to playing for a medal
At the Paris Olympic Games, the Aussie Sharks showed they are not to be underestimated. After a tough loss to Spain in their opening pool game, the Aussie Sharks claimed three consecutive wins against some of the world's top teams, including eventual gold medallists Serbia, host nation France, and historically strong Hungary. After a tough penalty shoot-out loss to USA in the quarterfinals, the Aussie Sharks finished eighth. Paris showed again that the Aussie Sharks are on the cusp of breaking through for that elusive Olympic medal.
International Results & Team Lists
Check back to see the results for the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks ahead of their Sydney 2026 World Cup Finals campaign.
World Aquatics Championships, Singapore (July)
Team: Laurence Barker, Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Tristan Glanznig, Andrej Grgurevic, Angus Lambie, Milos Maksimovic, Drew McJannett, Jacob Mercep, Sam Nangle, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 6 defeated by Hungary 18
Game 2: Australia 7 def. by Spain 10
Game 3: Australia 11 def by Japan 12
Final points Group B: Spain 9, Hungary 6, Japan 3, Australia 0.
Classification 13-16: Australia 27 def South Africa 4.
Classification 13-14: Australia 16 def China 9.
Final placings: Spain, Hungary, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, USA, Japan, Romania, Canada, Brazil, Australia (13th), China, Singapore, South Africa.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games (July & August)
Team: Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, Lachlan Edwards, John Hedges, Angus Lambie, Milos Maksimovic, Jacob Mercep, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 5 defeated by Spain 9
Game 2: Australia 8 def Serbia 3
Game 3: Australia 9 def France 8
Game 3: Australia 9 def Hungary 8
Game 4: Australia 13 defeated by Japan 14
Quarter-final: Australia 10 defeated by USA 11 (PSO: 7-7 at FT)
5-8th: Australia 9 defeated by Greece 15
7-8th: Australia 6 defeated by Italy 10
Final placings: Serbia, Croatia, USA, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Italy, Australia (8th), Montenegro, France, Japan, Romania.
World Aquatics Championships, Doha, Qatar (February)
Team: Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, George Ford, John Hedges, Angus Lambie, Milos Maksimovic, Jacob Mercep, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Sam Slobodien.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 8 def by Croatia 13
Game 2: Australia 29 def South Africa 7
Game 3: Australia 9 def by Spain 15
Round of 16: Australia 8 def by France 11
Classification 9-12: Australia 10 def by United States 16
Classification 11-12: Australia 17 def China 7
Final placings (top 12): Croatia, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Montenegro, USA, Romania, Australia (11th), China.
Ord Minnett Test Match Series, Brisbane, Queensland (January)
Squad: Laurence Barker, Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, Lachlan Edwards, George Ford, Andrej Grgurevic, John Hedges, Angus Lambie, Milos Maksimovic, Jacob Mercep, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Sam Slobodien, Reilly Townsend.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 17 def Japan 16
Game 2: Australia 12 def by Japan 15
Game 3: Australia 13 def Japan 8
World Aquatics Championships, Fukuoka, Japan (July)
Team: Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, Lachlan Edwards, George Ford, John Hedges, Angus Lambie, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Sam Slobodien, Reilly Townsend.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 9 def by Greece 13
Game 2: Australia 8 def by USA 16
Game 3: Australia 22 def Kazakhstan 6
Playoffs: Australia 8 def by France 11
9th -12th: Australia 16 def Japan 15
9th - 10th: Australia 10 def by Croatia 17
Final placings (top 12): Hungary, Greece, Spain, Serbia, Italy, France, USA, Montenegro, Croatia, Australia (10th), Japan, Canada.
World Aquatics World Cup, Montenegro (March)
Squad: Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, George Ford, Andrew Ford, John Hedges, Angus Lambie, Keenan Marsden, Tom McJannett, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results (Group B)
Game 1: Australia 6 def by Serbia 10
Game 2: Australia 12 def Georgia 13
Game 3: Australia 5 def by Greece 20
Game 4: Australia 11 def by Montenegro 12
Game 5: Australia 8 def by Spain 18
International Series with Japan - Perth, Australia (January)
Squad: Laurence Barker, Marcus Berehulak, Matthew Byrnes, Blake Edwards, Nick Elphick, George Ford, Andrew Ford, Tristan Glanznig, Andrej Grgurevic, Nick Hallam, Joe Kayes, Angus Lambie, Milos Maksimovic, Keenan Marsden, Tom McJannett, Jacob Mercep, Joseph Parnis, Nathan Power, Mitch Robinson, Sam Slobodien, Damien Williams.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 13 Japan 13
Game 2: Australia 14 Japan 11
Game 3: Australia 11 Japan 13
World League Super Final, Strasbourg, France (July)
Squad: Matt Byrnes, Blake Edwards, George Ford, John Hedges, Rhys Holden, Keenan Marsden, Tom McJannett, Charlie Negus, Matthew Oberman, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Reilly Townsend.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill
Results
Game 1: Australia 10 def by Spain 13
Game 2: Australia 9 def by Montenegro 8
Game 3: Australia 7 def by Serbia 14
Game 4: Australia 6 def by Montenegro 9
Game 5: Australia 13 def Canada 9
Final standings: Italy, USA, Spain, France, Serbia, Montenegro, Australia (7th), Canada.
World Championships, Budapest, Hungary (July)
Team: Blake Edwards, George Ford, John Hedges, Rhys Holden, Keenan Marsden, Tom McJannett, Charlie Negus, Luke Pavillard, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Reilly Townsend.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill
Results
Game 1: Australia 10 def Kazakhstan 4
Game 2: Australia 5 def by Serbia 6
Game 3: Australia 9 def by USA 14
Game 4: Australia 6 def by Italy 17
9-12 Playoff: Australia 7 def Japan 15
11-12 Playoff: Australia 19 def South Africa 4
Final standings: Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Serbia, USA, Hungary, Montenegro, Japan, Georgia, Australia (11th), South Africa, Germany, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Canada.
World League Intercontinental Cup, Lima, Peru (March)
Squad: Marcus Berehulak, Blake Edwards, Andrej Grgrurevic, Nick Hallam, John Hedges, Rhys Holden, Luke Pavillard, Keenan Marsden, Tom McJannett, Charlie Negus, Chaz Poot, Nic Porter, Nathan Power, Tim Putt.
Head Coach: Tim Hamill.
Results
Game 1: Australia 14 def Argentina 5
Game 2: Australia 18 def by Canada 19 (ET)
Game 3: Australia 10 def Brazil 9
Game 4: Australia 16 def Colombia 4
Game 5: Australia 12 def by USA 11
Semifinal: Australia 11 def Brazil 6
Final: Australia 6 def by USA 7
Final standings: USA, Australia (2nd), Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Colombia
Olympic Games, Tokyo, Japan (July)
Team: Richie Campbell, Joel Dennerley, Lachlan Edwards, Blake Edwards, Andrew Ford, George Ford, Rhys Howden, Anthony Hrysanthos, Nathan Power, Timothy Putt, Aidan Roach, Goran Tomasevic, Aaron Younger.
Head Coach: Elvis Fatovic.
Results (Group B)
Game 1: Australia 10 def by Montenegro 15
Game 2: Australia 11 def Croatia 8
Game 3: Australia 8 def by Serbia 14
Game 4: Australia 5 def by Spain 16
Game 5: Australia 15 def Kazakhstan 7
Final standings: Serbia, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Croatia, USA, Italy, Montenegro, Australia (9th), Japan, Kazakhstan, South Africa.
Development Squad
COMING SOON.
Get to know the women’s team
Australia’s women’s team have won Olympic gold, silver and two bronze.
