AWL livestream REPLAYS: Queensland Thunder v Sydney Uni Lions
Queensland Thunder took on Sydney Uni Lions in the men’s and women’s Australian Water Polo League on Sunday. WATCH THE REPLAYS
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Watch the replays of the Sydney Uni Lions versus Queensland Thunder women and the Thunder men.
The two Sunday clashes at the Valley Pool continued unprecedented coverage by the www.couriermail.com.au and News’ affiliates of the best senior and junior players in Australia this season.
THE MATCHES
Thunder v Lions, women
The Queensland Thunder women maintained its unbeaten record this season with a hard fought win over Sydney Lions.
Without six Australian representatives, Thunder edged out their rivals 13-10 after late goals by Kasey Dalziel, Lulu Elliott and rookie Taafili Taoso.
Today’s game was another thriller - how could it not be after Saturday night’s epic clash won at the death by Queensland by a point.
The Thunder turned for home at the start of the final quarter leading 10-7, but Sydney Uni then scored the first goal of the final quarter - a penalty by Luci Marsh - slicing Thunder’s advantage to 10-8.
It was anyone’s game but with four minutes to play Kasey Dalziel scored and Thunder had inched ahead 11-8. It was then 12-8 when Taoso scored and the match was safe.
There was an outstanding performance by Lions goalie Tess Hosking who saved one penalty shot outright, and forced another two onto the post.
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Thunder coach Benn Lees said it was a rewarding two matches without the internationals.
“We played as a team, as a really strong, cohesive unit,’’ Lees said.
“Everyone played their part and communicated strongly and athletes who had not yet been given much of an opportunity stepped up and played their role.’’
Matilida Moore said the depth of the Thunder squad was amazing.
“This weekend has proven our depth. Compared to other squads, if other squads had had almost their entire starting side go, you would not expect them to hold up in the national league. But we have just gone and won two more games.’’
The Thunder pressed the go button early in the third quarter to establish a 10-5 advantage.
Three goals to four-time Olmypian Bronwen Knox, a goal from the front line by Elliott and another by Dalziel capitalised on a 5-3 halftime advantage to give Thunder a good lead.
Earlier the teams were locked up 1-all at quarter time, but Tori Morrissey’s second goal and a score by Lions young gun Keesja Gofers locked the match up at 3-all into the second quarter heading toward halftime.
Thunder’s Kate Blew, a hero the night performance with four goals - including the match winner - was at it again for the Thunder with another first half score.
Thunder’s Eve Gath also did a fine job filling in for Australian player Gabi Palm who was unavailable.
Thunder v Lions, men (in progress)
Queensland Thunder goalkeeper Noah Bright was the hero after saving a last second shot to give his side a 13-12 win.
Bright blocked away Chris Dyson’s scoring attempt with the match on the line.
Lions had hit the front when Isaac Kyle-Little snapped a 12-all deadlock minutes from fulltime.
Adding to the drama were magnificent saves by the respective keepers, Bright (Thunder) and Anthony Hrysanthos (Lions), and then a lob shot from Billy Miller which hit the crossbar.
It was gripping stuff when, with 24 seconds to play, Lions brought Hrysanthos up the pool as an attacking extra as Lions set up a seven-six formation.
Lions had two shots at goal - both blocked - and full marks to Thunder rookie Bright who absorbed the pressure across the match after being handed his chance in the absence of Australian representative Nic Porter.
Bright said he just wanted to “give it my all’’ after being given the chance to play.
“The attitude of the group did not change. It is the same every game - win.’’
Asked was his last second save one of his career highlights, Bright said: “It was a good feeling, but hopefully there is more to come.’’
The thriller was set up after a dynamic third quarter which saw teams locked up 11-all.
Will Valentine edged his side ahead, but 10-9 soon became 10-all, then 11-10 and then 11-all after Sydney uni’s Drew McJannett had scored on the cusp of the three quarter break.
It was also a ripping first half which saw Sydney Lions capture a slender 8-7 advantage after McJannett broke the deadlock 30 seconds from the halftime break.
The Lions had led 5-3 early in the match after a double to Goran Tomasevic helped his side ahead.
But Nic Pace continued to celebrate his comeback weekend with a nice goal for Thunder while the veteran Billy Miller also scored as the home side hit the front 7-6.
THE PREVIEW
Are Queensland Thunder supporters looking at our next Olympians during the Australian Water Polo League?
Today’s matches were minus a smorgasbord of talent, including Queensland foursome Charlize Andrews, Tenealle Fasala (both Aussie Stingers), Marcus Berehulak and Reilly Townsend (both Aussie Sharks) who will make their debuts for Australia at the World League Intercontinental Cup from March 7 in Peru.
The rookie Thunder foursome joins fellow Queenslanders Gabi Palm, Abby Andrews, Alice Williams, Bridget Leeson-Smith, plus Sydney Uni champion Sienna Green in the Aussie Stingers.
The Lions had also supplied a triple treat of talent, Chaz Poot, Andrej Grgurevic and Tom McJannett, to an Aussie Sharks outfit also boosting Thunder goalie Nic Porter.
Charlize Andrews (Polo Bears), Fasala (UQ Uni/Barras), Berehulak (Barras) and Townsend (Warriors) have been fast tracked into the national squad as head coaches Tim Hamill and Paul Oberman sweep in a new era following the Tokyo Olympic Games.
So are Charlize Andrews Berehulak, Fasala and Townsend our state’s next Olympians?
Tenealle Fasala
The centre forward is the daughter of Olympian Greg and Rickie who were both Australian swimmers, but Fasala is making her own way in the sport. An Ipswich Girls Grammar old girl and Brisbane Barras junior, Fasala was an outstanding schoolgirl field athlete before concentrating on water polo.
Fasala was exposed to the Australian squad last year when she was part of the 20 member Olympic training squad. “I think being in that camp has definitely shown me a lot of different aspects of my game and I think I have definitely improved all around,’’ the Graceville State School alumni said. “I am really excited. Obviously I have been to camps before and for me it is really exciting to cap up and play because I have really wanted to play for Australia,’’ said Fasala
Charlize Andrews
Andrews comes from the same school as St Paul’s School which is ironic given she has received on the job training at the Queensland Thunder by four-time Olympian Bronwen Knox – another St Paul’s School alumni. Under the coaching of Sydney gold medal winning Olympian Naomi McCarthy, and following early exposure to the AWL as a teenager, 20-year-old Andrews is an old head on young shoulders. “I am very excited,’’ Andrews said. “I know it will be hard work and very competitive. I have not had any international competition for a few years now and at this level, I am really, really excited.
Marcus Berehulak
Towering centre back Berehulak has quickly come to the attention of national coach Tim Hamill who rated him one of the top couple of juniors in Australia prior to his selection. Berehulak has come into the Australian via an unusual route – he is not a private schoolboy but rather an Indooroopilly SHS alumni. “It is not the pathway a lot of the Sydney boys go with, and I kind of entered the sport socially and then competitive,’’ the teenager said. “Dad used to play socially and I just tacked on after being a swimmer. I enjoyed the physical nature of the sport, the speed and skill in the water as well.’’
Reilly Townsend
The 22-year-old St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace old boy first dreamt of playing for Australia aged 17 well before making his first junior team. “I just feel my game has kept improving since I started,’’ said Townsend, who helped the Warriors to the Delfina Queensland Premier League title late last year. He said one key to his improvement had been “consistent training through the years’’ but he also said his Warriors and Thunder teammates had improved him. “They have played a huge role in keeping me motivated,’’ said Townsend, who aims to win a gold medal representing Australia at the Olympics.
Lions rookie and Newington College old boy Andrej Grgurevic will also be making his debut after playing his way into the side with an elite performance for the NSW under 20s at the Summer Slam in Brisbane last month.
For the Thunder men this weekend, young gun Noah Bright will take over the goals from Aussie rep Porter, while Nic Pace will also start on Sunday.
THE SQUADS
Men
Queensland Thunder (team for Sunday): 1. Noah Bright, 3. Slade du Randt, 5. William Miller, 6. Anthony Martin, 11. Jack Fodor, 13. Matthew Lenarduzzi, 15. Dylan McDonald, 14. Ryan Medic, 21. Nic Pace.
Sydney Uni Lions: 1. Anthony Hrysanthos, 2. Goran Tomasevic, 3. Drew McJannett, 4. Toby Goldschmidt, 5. Chris Dyson, 7. Harry Molnar, 9. Michael Rosenthal, 10. Kal Glanznig, 11. Johnno Cotterill, 12. Oscar Douglas, 14. Hamish Hegarty, 15. Scott Dyson, 16. Josef Schuler, 17. Luka Krstic, 18. Thomas Harris, 19. Loui Schuler, 20. Christian Kyriakou, 21. Kai Young, 22. Luke Stimson
Women
Queensland Thunder: 2. Amelia Hodgson, 3. Sophie Milliken, 4. 6. Bronwen Knox, 7. Charlize Andrews, 8. Kate Blew, 9. Kasey Dalziel, 11. Jessica Emerson, 12. Amelia Watt, 14. Matilda Moore, 15. Tabitha Jones, 16. Molly Nasser, 17. Lulu Elliott, 18. Eve Gath, 19. Taafili Taoso
Sydney Uni Thunder: 1. Tess Hosking, 2. Alexie Lambert, 3. Tori Morrissey, 4. Lucy Gillis, 5. Kindred Paul, 6. Hannah Buckling, 7. Keesja Gofers, 8. Danielle Morrissey, 10. Aspen Henderson, 11. Madissyn Powells, 12. Savannah Henshaw, 13. Samantha Hardingham, 14. Stephanie Brettargh, 15. Samantha Henderson, 16. Cassie Clark, 17. Indigo Ditterick, 18. Imogen Hicks, 19. Victoria Ridhalgh, 20. Anneliese Pamp, 21. Jessica Oates, 22. Ashlee Dobell
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Sunday
10am: Women: Queensland Thunder v Sydney Uni Lions
11.30am: Men: Queensland Thunder v Sydney Uni Lions
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