Queensland Thunder coach praises Bronwen Knox’s leadership as young team flourishes in NWPL

Queensland Thunder women’s coach Benn Lees has praised the leadership of triple Olympian Bronwen Knox as the young team continues to stamp itself on the National Water Polo League.

Queensland Thunder women’s coach Benn Lees has praised the leadership of triple Olympian Bronwen Knox as the young team continues to stamp itself on the National Water Polo League.

Today at the Valley Pool, the Thunder pushed past UWA Torpedoes for the second time in two days, winning 12-6 after Knox’s rookie Australian teammate Abby Andrews shot five goals past the Torpedoes defence.

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The two wins followed a victory by 9-6 and a loss by 10-9 to highly fancied rivals Fremantle Marlins last Thursday and Friday.

Abby Andrews prepares to shoot for Thunder. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Queensland Thunder will now enter a bye with an 8-2 win loss record across the first three rounds of the competition.

Thunder has a young squad featuring a host of schoolgirls, including the likes Mermaids’ Kate Blew, Lara Owen, Matilda Elliott, Molly Nasser and Phoebe Leech, St Rita’s year 11 student Amelia Watt. Alice Campbell of Moreton Bay College and the Elliotts.

Kelsey Wakefield restarts play. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

As a result the leadership of Knox, and even Abby Andrews, although only aged 19, was shining through along with the stability of goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield.

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“Considering we have such a young team, it has been a really strong performance,’’ said coach Benn Lees.

Bronwen Knox lobs a pass over for Thunder. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

“We have Bronwen leading the team strongly and Kelsey Wakefield in goals, but what is most pleasing is the commitment and improvement from the younger girls.’’

Olympic prospect Andrews, who twice came off the bench to play for Australia against the world champion USA side last month, was also thriving under the responsibility of leadership.

Charlize Andrews is from the same school as Bronwen Knox, St Paul’s School. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

“Abby (Andrews) was wonderful again. She put another five goals past the goal-keeper and is pushing hard to make that Olympic team.’’

The left handed Andrews was now the leading goal scorer in the competition.

Pippa Pedley and Jessica Emerson come together. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Stuartholme schoolgirl Nasser, part of a champion Mermaids team which has not lost in more than four years, also played a full match yesterday.

Other rookies like, Alice Campbell, a product of Moreton Bay College, and Charlize Andrews, who hails from the same school as Knox – St Paul’s School – also enjoyed game time.

Knox, the North Brisbane Polo Bears junior, was again a huge influence setting up play.

Thunder coach Ben Lees addresses his players/ (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Meanwhile, the Queensland Thunder men lost 14-4 to Fremantle on Thursday but improved to go down by just 12-11 on Friday.

The men had another narrow loss to UWA Torpedoes, 11-8, on Saturday and today went down 10-8/.