Record Sixth Title for the Mariners

The Fremantle Mariners claimed a sixth national water polo crown and a slice of history after defeating the Victorian Tigers 9-8 in the National Water Polo grand final at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on the weekend.

After leading for the best part of the match, the Mariners – minus inspirational captain and WAIS scholarship holder Jamie Beadsworth – were pegged back at 8-8 apiece until Australian representative Tim Cleland (WAIS) scored the winner with just 35 seconds on the clock.

The Mariners became the most successful men’s club in history, edging one clear of Croa after WAIS athletes James Fannon (two), Daniel Lawrence (two), Nick O’Halloran, Joel Swift, Sam Quinn, Nick Redbond and Tim Cleland all netted goals for the Fremantle outfit.

Stand-in captain Cleland, spoke of his pride at the team’s ability to overcome the loss of Olympian Jamie Beadsworth to injury and reserved special praise for his sidelined teammate after the win.

“What can you say about that win? After the season we’ve had where we lost three of our starting seven from last year before the finals,” Cleland said.

“It was an extremely good win and it was an effort by all 13 players that got in the water.”

“Jamie is the captain of our club, our most impressive player and the professionalism he shows at training and just in general is something to be admired. You have got to feel for him not being able to play.”

At the end of the game, Mariners coach Peter Arancini joined Beadsworth in the traditional in pool celebration, as the Mariners squad toasted their sixth title and a history making success.

– With Water Polo Australia