OVOAWL | Lions battle Freo as finals race heats up

Published Thu 18 Apr 2019

Sydney Uni Lions host Fremantle in this weekend's OVO Play round 10 live stream match and in the men's fixture it will be a 2018 grand final rematch as the race for OVO AWL finals series places heats up.

Lions veteran Chris Dyson has put the call out for as many people at Peter Montgomery Pool as possible to help Lions take down an in form Fremantle side.

"Sydney Uni at home is hard to beat, we have put effort in during the break on our fitness and tidied ourselves up so we can match it with the best.

"We have had a focus at training to try and manage their counter attack, they've always been a fast team and we know they're very good at scoring goals so we need to control that and slow them down," he said.

Lions find themselves sitting in sixth place, a different position then they are used to in previous seasons.

"This is a really different position for us compared to the last five years where we have been at the top of the table. But we also understand the pressure those top teams are under to finish in the top two so we will try to use that to our advantage.

"There is an enormous amount of belief in the side, we've been a top team for a very long time, we're confident we can bring it together to make finals and hopefully upset a few teams when we get there," he said.

The match offers Fremantle a chance for redemption after they went down to the Lions in an incredible gold medal match last year which went to a penalty shoot, but the Lions will look to some of their newly established players to continue their winning streak.

"Our younger players have really come through this year.

"The likes of Christian Kyriakou have developed and earned his spot in the starting line up this season and then Tom McJannett and Chaz Poot who have been there for years are now playing positions really significant to our game which is good to see," he said.

While in the women's OVO Play match seventh place Sydney Uni Lions take on Fremantle Marlins who have secured a finals spot but will be eager to improve on their current fourth position.

Fremantle's Erin Redbond says a road trip with six games in six days is never easy, but the group has to look at it as an exciting challenge.

"It's a bit of tough love really, but we know we have a job to do. We have 10 out 12 players who have done this road trip before so we know we need to utilise our rest where we can.

"We'll look to start each day with a beach swim, get a coffee and really use that down time to rest and stretch.

"It's never easy, but we have to be head strong. You're going to be sore and tired but it's exciting to see what your body can withstand," she said.

The feeling within the Fremantle Marlins group is nice and strong.

"We're fit and confident and we're excited to have a good hit out against three quality Sydney sides.

"It's a good core group of players and an opportunity for the younger girls to step up, it's also a great chance to bond as a team together before a week off and then finals," she said.

Redbond is quick to credit head coach Katie Finucane for getting Marlins to where they are with two rounds left in the regular season.

"She has put in a lot of hours and we really do appreciate her experience and time. She's helping us get through each game and is a great mentor in and out of the pool.

"Katie has many years of experience, after a late call up to the role in 2018 she has stepped up again this season and been at every training and given it her all.

"She's got the knowledge behind every position and has made us really good set plays we all understand and can perform," she said.

As a group, Marlins have played an outstanding brand of water polo, but in particular a few players have really helped catapult them into a team which is hard to beat.

"Glencora McGhie has had a season off after giving birth to twins and has come back fitter and faster than ever and is just an amazing attribute to have. Kelly Parks keeps saying its her last season but continues to provide us with her experience in the pool.

"Zoe Arancini is a great core player for us in attack and defence and then some of the younger ones like Brooke Pensini and Sarah Leavy have given it their all when they've got a chance in the pool," she said.

As part of their Sydney road trip, Fremantle will also do battle with Drummoyne Devils and ACU Cronulla Sharks in two matches each.

While north of the border, Queensland Thunder take on UTS Balmain Tigers which will provide an intriguing top of the table clash in the women's match.

In the men's OVO AWL competition Drummoyne Devils, UNSW Wests Magpies, Fremantle Mariners and Hunter Hurricanes have secured their spot in the finals with the rest of the teams battling it our for the fifth and sixth place.

Then in the women's competition, another four teams have locked themselves into finals weekend from 3-5 May including Queensland Thunder, UTS Balmain Tigers, Fremantle Marlins and UNSW Wests Killer Whales.