WAIS athletes have helped the Fremantle Mariners to a fifth title in the men’s national water polo league over the weekend, after defeating the Drummoyne Devils 7-6 in an absorbing contest at Sydney’s Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
James Stanton, Edward Slade, Jamie Beadsworth, Aaron Younger, Joel Swift, James Fannon, Daniel Lawrence, Perry Short and Nick O’Halloran all represented WAIS in the final, and it looked as though they would have their work cut out after Drummoyne snuck out to an early two goal lead.
Daniel Lawrence had other ideas however, and his quick two goal salvo (three for the match) pulled back the deficit and ensured a thrilling contest would ensue.
Despite having a young and largely inexperienced squad, Fremantle produced a tactically resilient second half to edge ahead and hang on for a famous win, which enhanced the credentials of several players’ senior and junior representative prospects.
WAIS men’s water polo head coach Paul Oberman was in Sydney and believed the effort under pressure from a young Mariners group was exceptional.
“In my opinion, anything above a semi final place was a bonus,” Oberman – a 1992 Barcelona Olympian – said. “There was a lot of pressure on them, and what they have achieved, to me, is absolutely fantastic.”
Oberman highlighted the impact made by the younger members of the squad in clinching the national title.
“To have those young guys playing in a national league final, and being key members, is exciting. I looked at the starting line-up (for Fremantle) and all of them are WAIS,” a proud Oberman said.
Oberman also praised the efforts of 20 year-old forward Daniel Lawrence, who has been tipped for national selection in sections of the media.
“Absolute stand-out,” Oberman said of Lawrence’s final performance. “He played very well in the semi-final, extremely well in fact, and then backed it up in the gold match, but it is also testament to the other guys in the team for their performance.”
Another WAIS scholarship holder Tim Cleland – himself a former Mariner – was also involved in the clash, playing for the Devils.
There was also medal success in Sydney for the Fremantle Marlins, who bounced back from their semi-final defeat to the Brisbane Barracudas to claim the bronze medal in their clash against the Victorian Tigers.
The Marlins led by impressive performances from WAIS athletes Gemma Beadsworth, Glencora Ralph, Zoe Arancini, Rachel Flint and Erin Redbond held onto a dramatic 11-10 win in a high quality match. The gold medal match went to Brisbane who defeated the Balmain Tigers 11-9.
Following the AWPL finals, three WAIS scholarship holders were awarded positions in All-Stars teams. Mariners’ Aaron Younger was included in the men’s side, whilst Gemma Beadsworth and Zoe Arancini both featured in the women’s team.
Arancini and Glencora Ralph were both included in the women’s national team senior training camp squad. Both athletes are in line for selection in up-coming World League, World Student Games and World Championships competitions.
