The Australian Waterpolo League Finals continued today at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Click here to rewatch all the matches via KommunityTV.
Catch up on today’s round two fixtures below.
WOMEN | Fremantle Marlins v Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder
Five time Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) champions Fremantle Marlins (Perth) have used their experience to their advantage staging a sensational comeback to defeat Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder 12-9.
Today’s win makes it two from two for the Perth side, and while their spot in Sunday’s gold medal match is not guaranteed it puts them in good stead.
Co-Captain for the Marlins Lilan Hedges said: “We have lost a couple of players due to injury so we have had to adjust our attack. This season has been really good, throughout the season we have had some really close, competitive games… it’s been really positive for Australian Water Polo.”
WOMEN | Sydney Uni Lions v UWA Torpedoes
In the other women’s match, UWA Torpedoes delivered an upset to minor premier’s Sydney Uni Lions taking 8-7 win.
The Torpedoes bounced back from their day one defeat to keep their gold medal hopes alive as they look to make history as the first UWA Torpedoes women’s team to win the AWL.
UWA Torpedoes Captain Dayna O’Leary said for the team to make the gold medal playoff would be huge for honour.
“It would be huge for us, this is the first time we’ve made the top four. I’ve been playing for Torpedoes for 10 years, made [AWL] finals once and finished sixth.
“To potentially get to the gold medal playoff, that’s the ultimate goal and it would mean so much. We’ve put in all the hard work, we know we can do it and that we deserve it and I think we’ve proven that today,” she said.
The AWL Women’s Finals continue tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre with UWA Torpedoes facing Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder at 10am, followed by Fremantle Marlins v Sydney Uni Lions at 11:30am.
MEN | UNSW Wests Magpies v ACU Cronulla Sharks
UNSW West Magpies and Sydney Uni Lions Men’s have both booked their spot in Sunday’s gold medal matches after each securing their second win today.
For defending champions UNSW Magpies, they were able to get the win today over ACU Cronulla Sharks 13-10.
UNSW stalwart and Aussie Sharks Captain Nathan Power said: “All four [AWL finals] teams this year have been very competitive this year, very well coached… which means they are all going to be tough games.”
MEN | Sydney Uni Lions v Drummoyne Devils
For Sydney Uni Lions they delivered another solid 12-8 win over Drummoyne Devils.
Sydney Uni Lions Co-Captain Josef Schuler said: “We always knew it was going to be a tough match, all four teams in the finals are really good sides.
“There is always a bit of pressure that comes with finals, I think the way the season is structured with the playing all teams once and then the top six, then the final four… it’s been a gradual build to get here.”
The AWL Men’s Finals continue tomorrow with ACU Cronulla Sharks and Drummoyne Devils doing battle at 1pm before Sydney Uni Lions meet UNSW Wests Magpies in a gold medal match preview at 2.30pm.
