ORD MINNETT AUSSIE STINGERS - 2024 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS CAMPAIGN

5-6 PLAYOFFS | AUSTRALIA 8 def by NETHERLANDS 10

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have finished sixth after a narrow loss to the Netherlands at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships overnight.

It was a close first quarter, Bronte Halligan scoring a goal late in the first quarter, to keep the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers in it and trailing by one at the first quarter break.

The Australians came out firing in the second quarter, outscoring the Dutch 5-1, courtesy of two goals from Tilly Kearns and one each from Halligan, Charlize Andrews and Zoe Arancini.

The Dutch edged back in the third quarter, the Aussies taking a one goal lead into the last quarter.

But in the fourth quarter, the Dutch scored four goals to Australia's one, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers falling just short.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 3. Sienna Hearn; 4. Bronte Halligan (2); 6. Abby Andrews; 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini (1); 10. Alice Williams; 11. Tilly Kearns (3); 13. Gen Longman; 14. Sienna Green; 15. Dani Jackovich (1)

5-8 PLAYOFFS | AUSTRALIA 10 d CANADA 8

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers stormed home to claim victory in their 5-8 playoff against Canada at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

It was an emotional game for both teams, and extra riding on it for Canada, who with a win would have been one step closer to booking their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Having already secured their spot at the Games, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers were eager to bounce back from a tough quarterfinals loss to the USA.

Tokyo Olympian Bronte Halligan opened proceedings, scoring the first goal of the game a minute into the first quarter.

Team mates Alice Williams and Sienna Green also scored goals in the first quarter, giving the Aussies a 3-1 lead at quarter time.

The Canadians closed the gap in the second quarter, with the scores locked at 3-3 at half time.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers rose to the challenge in the third quarter, Williams scoring another and Abby Andrews getting her first of the game.

But it was a dominant fourth quarter performance that carried the Aussies to victory, courtesy of five goals, two from Tokyo Olympian Tilly Kearns.

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers goalkeeper and Olympian Gabi Palm said: "It was a really close game today, we were neck and neck the whole way through.

"We were able to come away with a win at the end, after some really solid defence to keep them out and we had a couple of really crucial conversions," she said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will play off for fifth on Friday 16 February at 11pm AEST (Saturday 17 February 12am AEDT). Watch LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 4. Bronte Halligan (2); 5. Bridget Leeson-Smith; 6. Abby Andrews (1); 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini; 10. Alice Williams (3); 11. Tilly Kearns (2); 13. Gen Longman; 14. Sienna Green (1); 15. Dani Jackovich

QUARTERFINAL | AUSTRALIA 9 def by UNITED STATES 10

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have fallen just short of a semi finals berth, with a narrow loss to reigning Olympic champions USA overnight.

The Australians pushed the US from the get go, responding quickly to a goal by the USA's Maggie Steffens, Abby Andrews slotted one into the back of the net to level scores early in the first quarter.

The scores were locked at 2-2 at quarter time, before the US made their move in the second to push it out to 5-3 at half time.

The US scored another three in the third quarter, and kept the Australians to zero, taking the score to 8-3 at three quarter time.

But a last ditch effort from the Aussies saw them storm home in the last quarter, outscoring the USA 6-2, falling just short by one goal. The end score 9-10.

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers' Alice Williams said: "We were expecting a tough, physical game with high speed. America always comes out hard and we knew we had to match that. 

"The game got off to a solid start, we played hard and fast which matched up well against America - putting our shots away and playing active in defence. The second and third quarters got a way from us but we came back fighting in the fourth and had a ‘never say die’ attitude which we are proud of. 

"A key takeaway for us is that we are good enough to match up against any team we come across when we believe in ourselves and our systems.

"While the loss is disappointing, we proved to ourselves and the world that we’re a force to be reckoned with, so we are ready to do what it takes to secure a spot in the 5th/6th playoff game," she said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will now play Canada in the 5-8 playoffs, on Wednesday 14 February at 8pm AEDT.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 3. Sienna Hearn; 4. Bronte Halligan; 6. Abby Andrews (2); 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini (2); 10. Alice Williams (2); 11. Tilly Kearns; 13. Gen Longman; 14. Sienna Green (2); 15. Dani Jackovich 

GAME 4 I AUSTRALIA 20 d GREAT BRITAIN 8

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have booked their spot in the quarter finals of the the 2024 World Aquatics Championships after an emphatic 20-8 win over Great Britain. 

The Aussies lead from the outset, setting up a commanding 12-3 lead at the half time. While Great Britain rallied in the second half to match the Australians goal scoring efforts, the Aussie Stingers were too strong and were able the close out the game with 20-8 win.

Tokyo Olympian Abby Andrews was the leading goal scorer for the Australians with six goals, with Sienna Hern, Bronte Halligan, Bridget Leeson-Smith, Zoe Arancini, Alice Williams, Tilly Kearns and Danijela Jankovich, all contributing to the Aussies over all goals. 

Commenting post match, Tilly Kearns said: "We knew not to underestimate Great Britain as they have put up some solid performances against great oppositions. 

"It’s really cool to see Great Britain on the world stage. They haven’t appeared in a World Champs for a long time and they showed some real class. 

"We wanted to focus on ourselves, we had things we needed to work on as a team to keep progressing and putting up world class performances. 

"Key takeaways in the game is that we are understanding timing and spacing really well in offence, and creating awesome  opportunities with individual excellence and as well as team cohesion. 

"We now move on to playing the USA in the quarter finals. We are both fast and relentless teams and have things to prove. We are moticated and ready. It will be a cracking game," she said. 

Australia will now face the USA in the quarter finals on Tuesday 13 February at midnight (Monday 12 February 11pm AEST), live on 9Now. 

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 3. Sienna Hearn (1); 4. Bronte Halligan (3); 5. Bridget Leeson-Smith (3); 6. Abby Andrews (6); 7. Charlize Andrews; 9. Zoe Arancini (1); 10. Alice Williams (2); 11. Tilly Kearns (3); 12. Tenealle Fasala; 14. Sienna Green; 15. Dani Jackovich (1)

GAME 3 | AUSTRALIA 9 def by HUNGARY 13

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers left it all in the pool in their final group match of the 2024 World Aquatics Championships against rival team, Hungary.

Aiming to finish top of their group, the Aussies fought till the end of the competitive match, ultimately going down to their relentless Hungarian rivals 13-9.

The Aussie Stingers struck first, with Bronte Halligan aiming low and left from 5 meters out.

The Stingers contained the scoreline in the first two quarters, with a last minute cross-cage shot from Zoe Arancini closing the halftime gap to 5-8 in favour of the Europeans.

Two power play goals followed by a direct foul goal scored by Hungary in the third quarter set the opposing team up for success.

Another two goals in the final quarter sealed the deal for the Tokyo 2020 Bronze medallists, despite the Aussie Stingers scoring another three of their own.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will now play Great Britain in their first round of 16 game on Sunday at 1:30AM AEDT, LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 3. Sienna Hearn (1); 4. Bronte Halligan (1); 6. Abby Andrews; 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini (1); 10. Alice Williams (3); 11. Tilly Kearns (2); 14. Sienna Green; 15. Dani Jackovich 

GAME 2 | AUSTRALIA 13 d NEW ZEALAND 6

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have triumphed over trans Tasman rivals New Zealand in their second game of the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

Eager to continue their winning form from Sunday’s game against Singapore, the Aussies were relentless from start to finish.

Pushing out to a 6-4 lead at half time, it wasn’t until the third quarter that the Aussies put their foot down, edging ahead to a 9-5 lead at three quarter time.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers managed to keep New Zealand scoreless in the final quarter, the end score 13-6.

In similar fashion to their opening game, it was a team effort by the Aussies, with seven players scoring goals to help their side to a win.

Queenslander Alice Williams was named Most Valuable Player, scoring two goals , also racking up two steals and one assist.

Williams said it was a hight from start to finish, but she’s proud that her team were able to get the job done.

“New Zealand is always tough for us, they are our Oceania rivals for the Olympic spot,” Williams said.

“We always like to bring it to them, and they bring it to us, and it’s always a good game,” she said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will now play Hungary on Thursday 8 February at 9:30pm AEDT, LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

“Hungary are a very big counter attacking team, they are physical but so are we,” said Williams.

“We are just looking to play tough…relentless…our game. Hopefully we’ll be able to take it to them and get the result,” she said.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 4. Bronte Halligan (1); 5. Bridget Leeson-Smith; 6. Abby Andrews (2); 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini (1); 10. Alice Williams (2); 11. Tilly Kearns (2); 12. Tenealle Fasala; 13. Gen Longman; 14. Sienna Green (2)

GAME 1 | AUSTRALIA 32 d SINGAPORE 1

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have delivered a dominant win to open their 2024 World Aquatics Championships campaign in Doha, Qatar.

After a huge training block at home, the Australians were eager to start the World Championships with a strong performance, matching up against Singapore in the first game of Group C.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers were quick to find the back of the net, Tenealle Fasala scoring in the first 16 seconds of the game. The Australians managed to score seven goals to Singapore's one in the first quarter.

The second quarter proved to be the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers most dominant quarter, scoring 13 goals while keeping their opponents scoreless.

Six goals in each of the last two quarters for the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers pushed the final score out to 32-1.

For Tokyo Olympian Abby Andrews, it was a great way to celebrate her 50th international cap for the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers.

"We didn't really know too much about what to expect - we played them (Singapore) last year but I think they had a slightly different team," Andrews said.

"We know that they are pretty small, so they are fast. It meant that we had to be really technical on them.

"We started really strong, and got to play our game. Because of that we were able to try out a few different defensive plays that we can use later in the tournament.

"In those really fast counter attacking games, we've got to work on our spacing. For us, that game was about adapting to this new environment, there's a bit of pressure but it's good that we've got that game out of the way now so we can be sharper in the next few," she said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will now play their cross the ditch rivals New Zealand on Tuesday at 6:30pm AEDT, LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

"We've played them (New Zealand) a lot in the last year. They've got a few new players that we're going to have to watch out for but we're ready, we're determined and it's the trans tasman rivalry. It's going to be fierce, it's going to be fiery but it's going to be a good game," Andrews said.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers (5); 3. Sienna Hearn (2); 4. Bronte Halligan (3); 5. Bridget Leeson-Smith (4); 6. Abby Andrews (4); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini (2); 10. Alice Williams (3); 12. Tenealle Fasala (2); 14. Sienna Green (4); 15. Dani Jackovich (3)