Sharks migrate West with finals looming

The OVO Australian Waterpolo League is reaching the pointy end of the season and Friday night’s OVOPlay live stream match between Fremantle and ACU Cronulla Sharks will be a big game for both clubs looking to secure a finals berth and potentially for the Fremantle men a top two position and automatic semi-final qualification.

Both sides are coming off extended breaks with Fremantle having last played a month ago in round seven against Sydney University Lions, whilst the Sharks last played in round eight.

As a water polo fan himself Fremantle Mariner’s head coach Laurie Trettel is looking forward to a quality match between both sides, but points to two specific matches which have impacted their season so far.

“Our derby win in round one against UWA Torpedoes was our first against them in a couple of years and provided us with a big confidence boost.

“Then being able to win five from six games in February on our Sydney road trip enabled us to set up for a good season.

“We’re not looking too far ahead though because this weekend we need two wins to give us a chance of finishing in second place which has been our goal for the year,” he said.

Trettel’s opponent on Friday night is ACU Cronulla Shark’s head coach Predag Mihailovic who knows his team is facing a big challenge but is adamant they will come out better for it.

“When you play four games in four days you get to spend more time together as a team in meetings and bonding more than you normally do.

“We always come out better as a group after road trips and this trip presents a good challenge to see what physical condition the team is in,” he said.

Mihailovic has been away with the Aussie Stingers team as assistant coach to the Sunshine Coast and New Zealand leaving his assistant and recently appointed men’s Born 2003 head coach, Vedran Cirkovic to direct the Sharks in the break.

“Some of our players have been at Sunshine Coast and Auckland for national duties and the rest were in Sydney, so we have not all been together for the break which may prove to be a problem early on in our trip,” he said.

Besides from eating a lot of chocolate during the Easter break, Fremantle Marlin’s captain Erin Redbond insists the team the goal for the remaining rounds is for the team to play to the best of their ability.

“We are a young team with lots of potential and have shown that throughout this season, we don’t have any imports and have a really strong bond with each other inside and outside the pool.

“We do feel pressure to make it to the finals, we are all very keen to make Sydney for the finals but this pressure motivates us as individuals and as a team to do our best every game we play.

“If we didn’t make finals it would not only be a big disappointment for our team, but it would also be very disappointing for our club,” she said.

Reflecting upon the last nine rounds, Redbond said two matches stood out for her straightaway.

“Our match against Hunter Hurricanes in the Newcastle harbour back in round three was awesome, the salt water and waves weren’t great but having the crowd and the restaurants right there gave it an awesome atmosphere.

“We also had a cracking game against the Lions girls at Bicton pool in round seven (Marlins won 12-10) which we were really proud of and provided the everyone with great confidence,” she said.

The only big personnel change for Marlins will be out of the water with former Aussie Stinger Katie Finucane temporarily taking on the head coach role and will no doubt have some tircks up her sleeve.

In the extended break for her team, ACU Cronulla Sharks head coach Rebecca Rippon has spent time herself with Australian senior teams on the Sunshine Coast as well as time at 18U National Aged Club Championships in Canberra.

The OVOPlay live stream will not be a distraction for her team and is something she has never put to much thought into when it does happen.

“To be honest I have never thought about it, generally we don't focus on it at all in our preparation but I do make sure to remind the girls to tone down their bench commentary on those days.

“I guess because it is being streamed, I am aware of trying to make sure that the game can be seen in a positive way to the viewers, so trying to play quality water polo and never giving up is something I will emphasise,” she said.

With lots of water polo for the Sharks to play in the next four days Rippon will ensure her team is focused on strategy and structure.

“For us this season, every game is on the line. We need to try to have the best structure and strategy in place for each game and attacking each team a little differently based on what their strengths and weaknesses are,” she said.

Like the Marlins, Sharks will also welcome a change in their coaching ranks with Mitchell Scott returning after a new addition to the Scott family.

To view full fixtures for round ten, click here.

Can’t make it poolside? Watch it via OVO Play.

Fremantle vs ACU Cronulla Sharks

Friday April 20, Melville Water Polo Pool

Women’s match 7:00pm AEWT

Men’s match 8:30pm AEWT