QUEENSLAND THUNDER AND UNSW WESTS MAGPIES WIN BACK-TO-BACK AUSTRALIAN WATERPOLO LEAGUE PREMIERSHIPS

Queensland Thunder women and UNSW Wests Magpies men have won back-to-back Australian Waterpolo League premiership titles, at Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney today.

Having taken out the last held Australian Waterpolo League Finals Series in 2019, both clubs will be adding another trophy to their haul in 2022.

Queensland Thunder women were dominant in their gold medal performance against ACU Cronulla Sharks, the end score line 12-6 in Queensland’s favour.

Despite a slow start, Queensland captain and Tokyo Olympian Gabi Palm was proud of her team for clawing back to claim the win.

“It’s really exciting to get the win, I’m really proud of the girls. We weren’t leading at the start, but we fought our way back and we got that lead and held it all the way through,” Palm said.

“It means everything to us - the Australian Waterpolo League is the premier competition in Australia so to get that win for Queensland is amazing.

“Technically we’re back to back, but it’s been 3 years so to win another Championship is just awesome.

“It is just the best feeling to have best mates and team mates all in one. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said.

The men’s gold medal match went down to the wire, spectators enthralled by the match up between defending champions UNSW Wests Magpies and Drummoyne Devils.

Both sides were unable to be separated after the opening three quarters, heading in to the final term with scores level at 5-all.

In the last quarter, it was the experience of UNSW Wests who rose to the occasion to claim the win 9-7.

UNSW player and Tokyo Olympian Tim Putt gave full credit to his side for the grit they showed to pull through.

“It is absolutely unreal, I can’t even put it into words. Testament to Drummoyne, it was a hard fought battle all the way through,” Putt said.

“But we grinded it out, and got the win - it’s such an amazing feeling.

“It was a close fought match, I can’t really believe how close it actually was. Full credit to the boys though, they really pulled through.

“It shows what kind of culture we have at the club, our coach Nitties (Andrew Yanitsas) always puts in the work for us, year in, year out. It’s a reward for him too, and all the hard work he puts in,” he said.

In the men’s bronze medal match, it was UTS Balmain Tigers who toppled Sydney Uni Lions 12-11.

As the stand-in captain for today’s game, Balmain’s Harry Sanderson couldn’t be happier with the end result.

“It’s an awesome feeling - it’s been about 15 years since the Tigers men were in the finals.

“So it’s really exciting for us to get a result on the final day, and some rewards for the hard work we put in during the season.

“We’ve had some tough games against Sydney Uni this year, so we know what they’re capable of.

I think today could have gone either way, but I’m just really happy we could run away with the win and finish the season on a high.”

Fremantle Marlins will be taking home the women’s bronze medal after defeating UTS Balmain Tigers in another close match 8-7.

Some crucial saves in goals from Lil Hedges, and strong attacking plays from dual Olympians Zoe Arancini and Glencora McGhie gave the Marlins the winning edge.

“I honestly could not be more proud of the girls, they worked really, really hard this week. It’s really good that we’re able to take a medal home,” Hedges said.

“This season we’ve been thrown a few curve balls, but we’re really lucky to be here and thankful to Water Polo Australia for making it happen.

“The bronze medal gives us confidence in what we’re doing, that we can come over here and be competitive. That’s what we want, we’re here to be competitive,” she said.

RESULTS - MEN

Gold - UNSW Wests Magpies

Silver - Drummoyne Devils

Bronze - UTS Balmain Tigers

RESULTS - WOMEN

Gold - Queensland Thunder

Silver - ACU Cronulla Sharks

Bronze - Fremantle Marlins

To watch the replays via News Corp Australia - click here