The gold medal matches are confirmed for the 2026 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) Finals Series at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
The Cronulla Sharks women’s team will look to win gold for the first time in 14 years as they come up against the courageous Sydney Uni Lions.
In the men’s final, the UNSW Wests Magpies have history in sights as they face a XX to claim a record ninth AWL title.
Click here to watch today’s replays on KommunityTV.
WOMEN: CRONULLA SHARKS 15 d GRIFFITH UNI QUEENSLAND THUNDER 11
The Cronulla Sharks are on track to clinch their first AWL title since 2012 with victory over the Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder.
The Sharks set the tone with a five goal opening quarter to lead 5-1, but the defending champions fought back in the second quarter to get within two goals at half time. The Sharks kept their composure in the second half and kept the Thunder scoreless in the final quarter.
Ord Minnett Aussie Stinger young gun Emma Putt was pivotal for the team’s win, scoring four goals herself in the semi final match. She commended the team on a great performance.
“We’ve been really trying to focus on our starts because we haven’t been starting that good. But we didn’t expect them to come back that hard in the second quarter. So just to put our head down and grind it all the way to the end I’m so proud of the team.
“It was such a full team effort so credit to Queensland – they just brought it, something new every attack they had, it was so hard,” Putt said.
Putt said it’d be incredibly special to bring the title back to the club with the playing group.
“It’s been such a fun year with the girls. I love playing with those girls, so to get that result, it’s just amazing.
“They have such a small family legacy at this club. It’s so family focused. They’re just such good people. So to finally get back up there, it’s just so special,” Putt said.
The Cronulla Sharks are set for a blockbuster grant final against Sydney Uni Lions at 1pm AEDT tomorrow. The Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder will fight for a bronze medal against the UTS Balmain Tigers at 10am AEDT.
WOMEN: SYDNEY UNI LIONS 9 d UTS BALMAIN TIGERS 8
The Sydney Uni Lions have overcome the UTS Balmain Tigers in a nail-biting penalty shoot out to claim the final spot in the women’s AWL gold medal match.
After losing to the Tigers in a penalty shoot out in the qualifying finals on Thursday, the Lions flipped the script in today’s semi final to win in a penalty shoot out 9-8.
“Honestly, I kind of blacked out for the shoot out,” said Lions goalkeeper Isobelle Pamp.
“Our aim of the game was to go in as hard as we can, get up and we knew they were going to come out with a really hard press in that last half. It was just about keeping our composure which I think we were able to scramble and eventually do. And then obviously winning that shoot out, it’s awesome.”
It was a close contest from the get-go between the two teams. The Lions got off to a quick start in the first quarter and led 4-2 at half time. The Tigers clawed their way back into the game, amounting pressure to force a penalty shoot out to decide the game.
The Lions women’s team last won the AWL title in 2023. Pamp said to have a chance to go for gold tomorrow is incredible.
“I think this team works really hard. We’ve been together for a few years – the core group. I just think this club, these girls, we’ve been through so many ups and downs. It would mean so much to everybody,” she said.
After being beaten by Cronulla in the regular season, the Lions will have to find something new to defeat the minor premiers in tomorrow’s grand final at 1:00pm AEDT on Sunday.
The UTS Balmain Tigers have the chance to claim the bronze medal as they face the Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder at 10:00am AEDT tomorrow.
MEN: UNSW WESTS MAGPIES 17 d FREMANTLE MARINERS 11
The dream of a record ninth title is alive for the UNSW Wests Magpies as they defeat the Fremantle Mariners 17-11 in the semi final.
The Magpies showcased their powerful attacking prowess that has seen them dominate the men’s 2026 AWL season. The Fremantle Mariners gave the Magpies a fight in the first half as they trailed by two going into halftime. The third quarter was the game-changer, with the Magpies extending their lead to 13-7.
Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks weapon Matthew Byrnes led the team with five goals in the match.
“It was a good game. We knew it would be a hard game. I knew they would bring a good challenge for us. I’m glad we got the win, I’m glad we did what we wanted to do and can take a lot of positives out of that game. We’re looking forward to tomorrow,” Byrnes said.
With a golden opportunity for the Magpies in sight, Byrnes said it’s special to be chasing history.
“Like we say every year, the best championship is the next one. We want to be the premier club in Australian water polo. We want to set that gap so tomorrow’s a good opportunity for that.
“I’ve been at this club since I was a junior and it means the world. This club is a family so I’m proud to go out tomorrow and hopefully win the ninth title,” he said.
UNSW Wests Magpies will face the Cronulla Sharks in the gold medal match at 2:45pm AEDT tomorrow. The Fremantle Mariners will play for the bronze medal against Drummoyne Devils at 11:30am AEDT
MEN: CRONULLA SHARKS 15 d DRUMMOYNE DEVILS 14
The Cronulla Sharks have won a passionate semi final match against the Drummoyne Devils, the second match of the day to be decided by a penalty shoot out.
The game was destined for a penalty shoot out result with both teams going toe-to-toe with each other. Three out of the four quarters, both teams were level.
In the penalty shoot out, Sharks goalkeeper Hayden Molla managed to save one extra goal to secure the final grand final spot for the Sharks.
Molla said it was important to scrap away another win and have the chance to play in the grand final.
“I think we just need to carry that momentum into tomorrow. We’ve played against Wests before. We can go toe-to-toe with them, but we haven’t been able to do it consistently for a full game and that’s what you need to do against a team like that.
“We’ll need to be switched on tomorrow, the whole team will need to play hard, whether that’s someone who plays for five seconds or a full match,” he said.
Chasing history of their own, the Cronulla Sharks men’s team are looking to win the AWL title for the first time since 1999.
“Our club is built on our members. Through the juniors up to the life members we have playing in sixth grade, it’d be massive for us to walk away with a gold medal,” Molla said.
“Having also the men and the women in the grand final in the same year is just a testament to our club’s culture and what we’ve built, not only for people in the water but everyone outside the water as well.”
5th v 6th Playoff Results
The Fremantle Marlins finish their season with a win against the UNSW Wests Killer Whales. The Marlins won the match 17-13 with star Gemma Davis scoring six goals.
In the men’s match, the UTS Balmain Tigers clawed their way to a 21-20 victory against the UWA Torpedoes, with Jake Howerton top scoring with six goals.
2026 AWL FINALS DAY 4 SCHEDULE – SUNDAY 29 MARCH
10:00am AEDT: Women’s Bronze Medal Match –
11:30am AEDT: Men’s Bronze Medal Match –
1:00pm AEDT: Women’s Gold Medal Match –
2:45pm AEDT: Men’s Gold Medal Match –
All matches of the final day of the 2026 AWL Finals will be broadcast live on KommunityTV.
Be part of the action as champions are crowned and history is made. $10 tickets areon sale here.
