Thunder complete fairy tale with 2019 OVO Australian Waterpolo League crown

It was a fairy tale finish in the women’s 2019 OVO Australian Waterpolo League (OVO AWL) as the new look Queensland Thunder took top honours in their first season in the competition.

Thunder Captain Bron Knox was full of praise for her young team who rose to the occasion.

“They stood up today they got some good shots, they earned some kickouts, they made some great assists,” Knox said.

“It’s been an awesome season. We’ve come from behind we’ve led from the front; we’ve won from penalty shoot-outs; we’ve lost from penalty shoot outs and it’s been a fantastic season, it’s had it all,” she said.

Competing against the Fremantle Marlins in the gold medal decider, the Thunder got off to a shaky start as the Marlins raced to a three-goal advantage in the first quarter. Madeline Quinn led the way with two goals and Zoe Arancini also hit the back of the net.

The Thunder then asserted their authority, scoring four unanswered goals in the second quarter with Knox snaring a double. Jessica Emerson and Tenealle Fasala each scored a single.

The Marlins responded early in the third, thanks to a goal from Lara Zimmerman. The Marlins then took advantage of a Thunder exclusion and Pia Rodgers hit the back of the net. 

A goal to Thunder's Charlize Andrews in the third quarter had the scoreboard locked at 6-6 before Thunder’s Sophie Milliken scored 10 seconds before the end of the third quarter (6-5). 

Both teams exchanged goals early in the fourth before Knox converted a Thunder penalty to give the Queenslanders a two-goal lead. It was the Thunder's biggest lead of the game but it was short lived as Fremantle immediately responded through a Chloe Nella goal.

Arancini put the Marlins back in the game with another two goals, but with a minute to play the Thunder were in front courtesy of a Bridget Leeson-Smith goal.

Knox expected the Marlins to be tough opponents.

“They’re not a team that lies down easy, they kept coming back, they kept putting their shots away, they kept putting pressure on us with extra man, it was great we held on and forced them to make some errors that we were able to capitalise on.

“It wasn’t a great start for us, we got three goals behind but the girls dug in and started grinding away and it was a great team effort and we got away with the win in the end.

In the battle for bronze, UNSW Wests Killer Whales defeated UTS Balmain Tigers with an 11- 8 victory. The Killer Whales led from start to finish setting up a tidy three goal advantage after the first quarter.

RESULTS

Gold Medal - Queensland Thunder 10 def Fremantle Marlins 9
Bronze Medal - UNSW Wests Killer Whales 11 def UTS Balmain Tigers 7

OVO AUSTRALIAN WATERPOLO LEAGUE AWARDS - WOMEN

Debbie Watson Medal - Most Valuable Player (Season) – Zoe Arancini (Fremantle Marlins)
Pat Jones Medal – Most Valuable Player (Final Series) – Bron Knox (Queensland Thunder)

2018 AWL ALL STAR TEAM - WOMEN

Gabriella Palm (Queensland Thunder)
Zoe Arancini (Fremantle Marlins)
Ash Southern (UNSW Wests Killer Whales)
Rowie Webster (UTS Balmain Tigers)
Laura Robinson (Hunter Hurricanes)
Amy Ridge (UNSW Wests Killer Whales)
Gen Longman (UTS Balmain Tigers)