Hunter and Fremantle clash in the harbour

Round 3 of the OVO Australian Waterpolo League will step up another notch when Hunter square off against Fremantle at Queens Wharf tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s match will be the first harbour match of the season for Hunter Hurricanes and will also be streamed live through OVO Play.

At home this weekend, Hunter Hurricanes Men’s Head Coach, Daniel Robinson, will be coaching a team coming off a couple days break.

Robinson believes the more rest time may provide a slight advantage for his men but is adamant it won’t mean they take Fremantle Mariners lightly.

“Fremantle are used to intense road trips and historically they are a well drilled team who are very physical and strong.”

Young juniors Matt Humby and Mitch Robinson are likely to receive a lot of game time from their coach in a good sign for the Hunter Hurricane’s future.

“We love the harbour games, it is always a good spectacle for us and provides a showcase for the sport to people who don’t normally get to watch water polo.

“We can take confidence from the past couple of wins, but we know we have to reset and take Fremantle as a new game,” he said

Fremantle Mariners will line up for their fifth match in five days and will be bolstered by the return of Rio Olympian Joel Swift.

Mariners Head Coach Laurie Trettel says his side has a strong focus on starting the game well.

“Early combinations are starting to shine through, however we need to turnaround our starts because in our last three matches we have started slow and made it tough on ourselves.

“Fitness was a big focus in the pre-season because previously it has been lacklustre, but it is during these tough road trips we are starting to reap the rewards,” he said.

Queens wharf will provide a stunning backdrop for both teams with crowds expected to line the wharf to make the most of the warm conditions and quality water polo action.

In the women’s match, both sides have struggled within round 3 for winning form.

Hunter Women’s Head Coach Mitchell Baird is encouraging his team to create consistency and urgency as part of everything they do.

“We’re a young, inexperienced team which is still trying to figure things out. If we stick to our systems and we do it consistently throughout the game, we are always going to be in with a chance.

“We have struggled with consistency in our previous games and dug ourselves into some holes, but the girls know they can do it against the best teams if they put it together for four quarters,” he said.

The Hunter Hurricanes women are particularly excited for the harbour match tomorrow as most the girls are only young and this will be their first taste of an OVO Australian Waterpolo League harbour match.

Fremantle Marlins are coming off three consecutive losses and will be looking to turn their form around before heading home after their last match Sunday.

Catch the Hunter Hurricanes vs Fremantle action harbourside or watch live via OVO Play on Saturday February 17 from 11:00am AEDT.

To view all of the remaining OVO Australian Waterpolo League round 3 fixtures, please click here.