ORD MINNETT AUSSIE STINGERS AND SHARKS BRING THE HEAT TO BRISBANE

After an epic finals day at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks jumped back into the pool to bring the heat to Brisbane.

Returning after a penalty shoot out win on Monday night, the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks went head to head with Asian Champions Japan.

Nothing could separate the two sides in the first half, with scores drawn at 4-4 in the first quarter and 6-6 at half time.

The visitors managed to edge ahead in the third quarter, before pushing their lead out to three goals in the last quarter, the end score 12-15.

Tokyo Olympian and Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks co-captain Blake Edwards said although a disappointing result, he was proud of his team’s effort in the pool.

“We’re showing glimpses of what we’re capable of, and it’s just the consistency that we’re lacking,” Edwards said.

“We’ve still got a lot of water polo ahead of us before Paris, and we’ve just got to keep making the most of every opportunity that we get. We’ve got a really resilient team, and we’re all working really hard. 

“Japan are an extremely unique team, they are very mobile and that’s not really a style that’s well known in world water polo but they've been around now for a while playing this style and we’ve played them enough to know how to play a bit smarter,” he said.

While the game experience is essential for the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks, Edwards said playing in front of a passionate home crowd and kids from the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships has given his team some extra motivation.

“Friday will be the last hit out for us here in Brisbane, we’re looking forward to another official test match in front of a home crowd. Hopefully we can turn the result back in game three,” he said.

“It was great to see the excitement and enthusiasm on their faces [after the game on Monday], and I think Water Polo Australia has done a magnificent job in hosting this event and it’s something that I’m really jealous of that I didn’t get to play in a youth festival myself. 

“If we can continue to hold big events like this, and showcase international water polo in front of these juniors, then it sets a really good standard for the future, and next generation of players,” he said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers continue to push for World Championships selection in the ‘green versus gold’ match up. 

Once again it was the Australia Green who took out a narrow 12-11 win over Australia Gold. 

While they are all teammates, there was no holding back from all players who brought a high level of intensity to the match as they looked to impress selectors. 

Dual Olympian Zoe Arancini, said the team were certainly motivated to deliver high quality water polo in front of a strong home crowd. 

“It’s always good to play in front of a home crowd. Competitions like the Australian Youth Championships it’s a good initiative and to have the Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks playing it showcases to these young kids what elite level of water polo looks like.  It’s also great for us as players to meet all the fans.

“There were plenty of ebbs and flows in that game. The Green team got off to a strong start but then the gold team fought back… it was certainly an exciting game for the crowd. 

“It was an intense game with selections on the line and everyone really wants to play well on home soil.

“We need those pressure situations in games because at any elite level you’re going to be playing under that… so to have like the crowds cheering on loudly, not being able to hear everyone and all those little elements that add to those big matches, it’s good for us to be experiencing it,” she said. 

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers will return to Brisbane Aquatic Centre on Friday 12 January for the third and final test, which will be a show piece of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

The Ord Minnett Test Match Series will be shown live on Fox Sports and Kayo from 7pm AEST.