It was a historic afternoon for the 2026 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) Finals with the Cronulla Sharks women’s team winning their first AWL title since 2012 and the UNSW Wests Magpies clinching a record ninth men’s AWL championship.
Click here to watch today’s replays on KommunityTV.
WOMEN’S GOLD MEDAL MATCH: CRONULLA SHARKS 15 d SYDNEY UNI LIONS 12
For the first time since 2012, the Cronulla Sharks are the champions of the Australian Waterpolo League.
The Cronulla Sharks dominated the opening period, firing six goals to the back of the net to lead 6-2 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lions scored the first two goals of the second quarter to add pressure to the Sharks defence, however the Sharks attack continued to flourish, keeping their four goal advantage at half time (9-5).
The powerful opening quarter from the Sharks proved to be the difference, holding off a fighting Lions team in the second half to clinch the 2026 AWL Women’s championship, winning 15-12.
2024 Paris Olympic silver medallist and Sharks centre forward Danijela Jackovich won both the Debbie Watson Medal (Player of the Season) and the Pat Jones Medal (Player of the Finals Series). Jackovich said the team had to do what they’ve done all season to get the remarkable victory for the club.
“We knew Sydney Uni we’re going to come with a lot of fight, they’ve fought through this whole tournament. We just had to stick together and play our game, back each other and we came out strong. I’m so proud to be standing here as a AWL Champion.
Jackovich’s first season with the club began in 2021 where they finished second.
“We talk about Cronulla, we have that underdog mentality. It’s the first time in our history that both our men’s and women’s teams have played in [grand] finals so we knew going into it that we had done something historical this year.
“We’ve just gotten better and progressed every week. Our young girls are backing us, they are coming to our games. It’s so good to give back and see the whole club get around us. I think that is something really special moving forward,” she said.
In an outstanding season for not only the club but Jackovich herself, she said these last two seasons have reignited her love for the sport and credits the team for her individual accolades.
“I’m a centre forward and they make me look good. They give me the ball at the right time. We are so dangerous from every position both offensively and defensively – it’s a full team effort,” she said.
MEN’S GOLD MEDAL MATCH: UNSW WESTS MAGPIES 17 d CRONULLA SHARKS 13
The UNSW Wests Magpies keep re-writing the history books, adding a record-breaking ninth AWL championships to their name by defeating the Cronulla Sharks.
The men’s game was a hotly contested match as the Sharks challenged the eight-time champions UNSW Wests Magpies. The Magpies led only by one goal at quarter time, but quickly whipped into gear in the second quarter to finish 11-8 at half time.
The Magpies used their experience and resolve under pressure to pull away and claim a 17-13 victory and a record-breaking ninth AWL title.
UNSW Wests Magpies captain Nathan Power said it’s special to see how far the club has come to come away with the historic achievement.
“When we think about our club, it comes from our culture. It started 60 years ago. To think about all the people who played before and to look at the position our club is in now, it’s really special,” he said.
Power took over as the UNSW Wests Magpies captain this season where they finished the regular rounds undefeated.
“To take the reins this year, it’s a badge of honour I wear really proudly. Then to see this phenomenal young group and just how much they wanted it and how hard they worked, I’m very proud of all of them,” he said.
UNSW Wests Magpies also won the two individual medals for the 2026 AWL season. Matthew Byrnes was awarded the Charles Turner Medal for the Player of the Season and Nic Bicari was crowned the Tom Hoad Medal for the Player of the Finals Series.
WOMEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: GRIFFITH UNI QUEENSLAND THUNDER 13 d UTS BALMAIN TIGERS 12
Griffith Uni Queensland Thunder have clinched the bronze medal for the 2026 AWL season, defeating the UTS Balmain Tigers in a penalty shoot out.
The battle was close from the start with the first quarter remaining scoreless – the first time this has happened all AWL Finals weekend. The Thunder were on the scoreboard first, notching up a two goal lead in both the second and third quarters.
Like they have done all finals weekend, the Tigers clawed back the deficit in the final quarter with Saskia Dunn nailing a buzzer-beating goal to take the game to a penalty shoot out. It was the Tigers third penalty shoot out of 2026 AWL Finals Series.
The Thunder got the job done with goalkeeper Alyssa West saving three goals to deliver the bronze medal to the team.
Thunder’s goal scoring machine Bless Daly said it was intense but proud to get the result today.
“Just playing with the girls was so good. Going to a shoot-out is definitely hard. But putting that extra effort in the end there was so good and it was great to get the result.
“We can take a deep breath now. Obviously, penalties so it was scary but we got there.
The Thunder featured a younger group of athletes this season which Daly said to get this bronze medal is great signs for the future.
“We started as a different group so we’ve come together this season, gradually building. Getting to the finals was really good. We’re really proud of our performance here and we’re just happy to go away with the bronze,” she said.
MEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: DRUMMOYNE DEVILS 17 d FREMANTLE MARINERS 12
The Drummoyne Devils proved too good for the Fremantle Mariners, winning the bronze medal match 17-12
The match opened with a big scoring quarter with 10 goals scored with the Mariners ahead 6-4 a quarter time. The Devils mounted a great comeback in the second quarter to snatch the lead in the match and finished the first half up by one.
The Devils used the momentum to score six goals in the third quarter, which ultimately led to their 17-12 victory.
Devils goalkeeper Laurence Barker said it was awesome to end the Finals weekend with a win.
“It was a great game. I love winning on the final day, it’s great to get the bronze.”
“Our club, Drummoyne, is amazing and has fostered a great group of guys. We’re just like a bunch of mates who play water polo. We had a great time.”
As one of the youngest teams in the competition, Barker said claiming the bronze medal this season is a confidence booster for 2027.
“Coming away with a bronze medal is phenomenal for us. It sets us up amazingly for the future. We’ve got a bright future that’s for sure,” he said.
