ORD MINNETT AUSSIE SHARKS - 2024 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS CAMPAIGN

GAME 6 | AUSTRALIA 17 d CHINA 7

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have delivered a commanding win to close out their 2024 World Aquatics Championships campaign.

The Australians started strong in the 11-12 playoff, co-captain Nathan Power quickly finding the back of the net to open the goal scoring for the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks.

The Sharks went on to score eight goals in the first quarter, taking an 8-2 lead into the first break.

In the second quarter, the Australians dominance continued, scoring four goals while managing to keep their opponents to nil, and the half time score standing at 11-2.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks again outscored their opponents in the third quarter, with four goals to China's one.

A lapse in momentum saw the Chinese score four goals in the last quarter, with the Australians only getting one. However, it was too late for the Chinese, the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks claiming a 10-goal win.

Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks goal keeper Nic Porter said: "The boys came out really strong, we started the game with a lot of intensity and that's probably something that we were lacking in a few games previously.

"In offence we were really clinical, and in defence we were ruthless, not giving them any opportunities.

"The tournament as a whole, we're really disappointed in the result, but there's definitely some things that we can improve on before the Olympics," he said.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie (1); 3. George Ford; 4. Charlie Negus (1); 5. Nathan Power (3); 6. Jacob Mercep (4); 7. Luke Pavillard; 8. Matt Byrnes; 9. Milos Maksimovic (4); 10. Tim Putt; 11. Chaz Poot (1); 12. Blake Edwards (2); 13. John Hedges; 14. Marcus Berehulak (1)

GAME 5 | AUSTRALIA 10 def by USA 16

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have gone down fighting in their playoffs match against water polo powerhouses USA overnight.

It was a fast and quick game, with the scores changing multiple times throughout. The first quarter was tight, with the Aussies scoring three goals to the US' 4.

In the second quarter, the Aussies managed to stay within two goals, Luke Pavillard and Milos Maksimovic both playing key scoring roles.

The Americans proved too strong in the second half, pushing it out to a six goal lead, and the final score 10-16.

Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks co-captain Nathan Power said: "It was a tough game, it followed a similar script to the French game where we were in it early, trading goals, but at the same time we received a lot of exclusions against us.

"We just weren't able to execute in extra man attack. There were a lot of encouraging signs in there but with the Olympics looming soon we've got to start converting that into a four quarter performance.

"Definitely proud of the fight that everyone showed, and we'll be looking to finish this tournament with a really strong performance against the Chinese in two days time," he said.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie; 4. Charlie Negus (1); 5. Nathan Power; 6. Jacob Mercep; 7. Luke Pavillard (5); 8. Matt Byrnes; 9. Milos Maksimovic (2); 10. Tim Putt; 12. Blake Edwards; 13. John Hedges; 14. Marcus Berehulak; 15. Sam Slobodien

GAME 4 | AUSTRALIA 8 def by FRANCE 11

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have fallen just short of a quarterfinals berth, with a narrow loss to Olympic hosts France overnight.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks got off to a good start, Luke Pavillard winning the swim off and Milos Maksimovic finishing it off with the first goal of the game.

Chaz Poot scored a goal for the Aussies late in the first quarter, before Maksimovic scored his second to give the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks a 3-2 lead at quarter time.

It was neck and neck in the second quarter, with the French scoring four goals to Australia's three (Nathan Power, Blake Edwards and Tim Putt).

In the third, a goal from Luke Pavillard kept the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks in it, trailing 7-8 heading into the last quarter.

But the French proved too strong, outscoring the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks 3-1 in the last quarter to claim the win, 8-11.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks will now turn their attention to the classification game on Tuesday 13 February against the USA at 9:30pm AEDT.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie; 3. George Ford; 5. Nathan Power (1); 6. Jacob Mercep; 7. Luke Pavillard (1); 8. Matt Byrnes (1); 9. Milos Maksimovic (2); 10. Tim Putt (1); 11. Chaz Poot (1); 12. Blake Edwards (1); 13. John Hedges; 14. Marcus Berehulak

GAME 3 I AUSTRALIA 9 def by SPAIN 15

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks put up a gallant effort against the current reigning European Champions, Spain, ultimately going down 9-15 after containing the scoreline for the first three quarters.

Luke Pavillard put the Aussies on the scorecard early, with a power play assisted by goalkeeper Nic Porter.

Swimming in for half time, the Sharks were only one point behind their Spanish rivals thanks to two last minute goals from Blake Edwards and Jacob Mercep.

Spain made a break for it in the third quarter, widening the scoreline by three points before securing the win with an additional five goals in the final quarter.

Head coach Tim Hamill said the team will regroup and look ahead to their upcoming game against France.

“One of the main focuses for tonight's game against Spain was to not let the tension off Spain in both offence and defence,” said Hamill.

“Whilst we did that in the early part of the game and in patches throughout, there were too many times when we shot too early in our attack and didn't play a committed and full defence, allowing Spain to get away from us.

“We’ve improved a lot over the last two years, but these are the games and moments that we want to be better at. We want to start winning these games.

“Moving forward, we will most likely be playing France in our crossover game, presuming they beat Greece today. It will be a rematch of our game against them in Fukuoka and we’re really excited to take them on.

“They have a couple of key players that are very important to their team, so we’ll do a bit of work on them over the next 48 hours.

“We’re excited and confident to play against France in a couple of days,” Hamill finished.

Attention will now turn to the round of 16 where Australia will take on France on Monday 12 February at 12am AEDT. 

AUSTRALIA: 1. Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie; 3. George Ford; 4. Charlie Negus; 5. Nathan Power; 6. Jacob Mercep (3); 7. Luke Pavillard (2); 8. Matt Byrnes (1); 10. Tim Putt; 11. Chaz Poot (2); 12. Blake Edwards (1); 13. John Hedges; 15. Sam Slobodien

GAME 2 | AUSTRALIA 29 d SOUTH AFRICA 7

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have bounced back to deliver an emphatic win against South Africa in their second game at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

After a disappointing result against European powerhouses on Monday, the Australians were looking for a big result against South Africa, and an extra confidence boost heading into their last pool match against Spain.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks led from the outset, scoring six goals to South Africa’s two in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Australians made their move, adding another eight goals to their total, the half time score 14-3.

Seven goals in the third quarter saw the Aussies extend their lead out to 21-4, before closing the game out with another eight goals in the last quarter, the end score 29-7.

Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks co-captain Blake Edwards was the top goal scorer with six goals of his own, and all 11 field players scoring goals.

"The boys bounced back really well...we were obviously a bit disappointed with the start against Croatia," Edwards said.

"It was good to see our combinations in attack really click together tonight, and I hope we can take a lot of confidence from that leading into our next game against Spain.

"We want to show what we're capable of, and hopefully can continue with that form (from tonight) for the rest of the tournament," he said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks will now play Spain, in their final pool game, on Friday 9 February at 9:30pm AEDT, LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

AUSTRALIA: 1 Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie (3); 4. Charlie Negus (1); 5. Nathan Power (1); 6. Jacob Mercep (5); 7. Luke Pavillard (2); 9. Milos Maksimovic (2); 10. Tim Putt (1); 11. Chaz Poot (1); 12. Blake Edwards (6); 13. John Hedges; 14. Marcus Berehulak (5); 15. Sam Slobodien (2)

GAME 1 AUSTRALIA 8 def by CROATIA 13

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have gone down fighting in their opening game of the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

It was a slow start for the Aussies, the Croatians scoring two goals in quick succession to open proceedings. 

Jacob Mercep managed to slot one into the back of the net half way through the first quarter, in his World Championships debut.

In the second quarter, Luke Pavillard and Marcus Berehulak added their names to the goal scorers list, keeping the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks in it.

At half time, the Croatians held onto an 8-3 lead, but the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks were determined to fight until the finish.

Chaz Poot scored a goal early in the third, while Pavillard got another to close the gap back to five goals.

World Championships debutant Milos Maksimovic got his first goal in the fourth quarter, while a buzzer beater from co-captain Blake Edwards closed out the scoring at 8-13, falling in the favour of the Croatians.

Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill said it was a good learning opportunity for his team who will now refocus ahead of their next game against South Africa on Wednesday.

“A disappointing first up loss against a very strong team in Croatia,” Hamill said.

“Our first quarter was poor and that put us on the back foot for the rest of the game.

“Next up opponent is South Africa - they had a big loss to Spain earlier in the day so we’re hoping to bounce back with a big result against them and progress further into the competition,” he said.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Nic Porter; 2. Angus Lambie; 3. George Ford; 4. Charlie Negus; 5. Nathan Power; 6. Jacob Mercep (1); 7. Luke Pavillard (2); 8. Matthew Byrnes; 9. Milos Maksimovic (1); 11. Chaz Poot (1); 12. Blake Edwards (1); 13. John Hedges; 14. Marcus Berehulak (2)