QUEENSLAND THUNDER AND DRUMMOYNE DEVILS SECURE TICKETS TO GRAND FINALS

The Women’s Griffith University Queensland Thunder and Men’s Drummoyne Devils secured their spots in the 2024 Australian Waterpolo League Grand Finals, winning their respective semi-finals at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre today. 

Coming into the Finals Series at the top of the ladder, the Thunder looked the better team throughout as they defeated the UTS Balmain Tigers 12-8 in their semifinal. Commanding performances by Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers driver Abby Andrews, who scored four times, and goalkeeper Gabi Palm granted the Queenslanders an opportunity to bring the national title back to Brisbane on Sunday.

“We went into the match knowing that it was going to be a really hard battle, being the one and two [teams] in the ladder,” said Thunder’s captain Elle Armit, one of the seven Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers included in the Queensland roster. “We went into it not expecting anything and just trying to work together. It’s a great result to come out of that [as winners].”

The Thunder built a decisive lead between the end of the first period and the beginning of the second, turning the match around from 1-2 to 6-2. The 5-0 run put the game out of reach for Balmain, as a very composed Thunder team controlled the rest of the match and closed down any opportunity for a Tigers’ comeback.

“The girls played a great defensive game today and Gabi [Palm] was astronomical in goals for us, stopping penalties and shots. I think it just showed the depth of our team and the experience that goes all the way from the top to the bottom,” continued Armit, adding that the team will be ready to manage the pressure of getting into the Grand Finals as potential favourites.

“We’re confident that we can do it,” she said. “We definitely have the depth and skills to do it, but we’re not taking anything for granted and definitely don’t count our chickens before they hatch! We’ll just give it our best and see what happens.”

The Tigers will have a second opportunity to qualify for the Women’s Grand Final tomorrow, when they face the Fremantle Marlins, who edged defending AWL champions Sydney Uni Lions in a nail biting qualifying final. With the teams locked in at 11-11 at the end of regulation, it was down to goalkeeper Izzy Scott to save the last Lions’ penalty and seal the win for the Marlins (15-14). 

In the first Men’s semifinal, the Drummoyne Devils were quick off the blocks and built an unassailable lead against the UTS Balmain Tigers. Up 5-2 after the first period, the Devils extended their advantage and eventually outscored the Tigers 13-8, despite a valiant effort by Balmain in the second half. Drummoyne thus vindicated the only defeat suffered during an otherwise dominant AWL regular season.

“That last game [of the regular season] when we lost to Balmain we all felt pretty bad,” said Devils’ goalkeeper Laurence Barker.  “But we’ve been training here for the last week, we know this pool, and we felt good coming in.”

The Devils will play for a historical, first League title on Sunday against the winner of tomorrow’s semi final between Balmain and the Sydney Uni Lions. Barker said that despite an unfortunate history of second places, the Devils will try to prepare for the next game like they do for any other.

“There is not too much pressure in the dressing room,” he said. “Again, losing to Balmain in the way we did was probably the best thing that could happen to us. It gave us the kick that we needed. We trained really hard for the past week and we’ve shown what we’re capable of in the pool.”

In the other men’s match of the afternoon, the Sydney Uni Lions bested the ACU Cronulla Sharks at the end of another tense quarter final. Led in scoring by Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks squad member Chaz Poot (4), the Lions tied the game at 11-11 with 4’13” to go in the fourth period. A red card to Cronulla paved the way for a late outburst of goals, including a brace by Tom McJannett, to close the game 14-11 for the Lions.