Watch the replays: AWL action Queensland Thunder v UNSW Wests (AWL)
Watch the replays of today’s two AWL clashes between Queensland Thunder and UNSW Wests. And also enjoy last night’s double header REPLAYS here.
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Queensland Thunder coach Benn Lees said complacency would be his team’s biggest challenge after the AWL women’s juggernaut rolled onward toward the finals this morning.
With seven goal hero Abby Andrews leading the way at the Valley Pool, and ace teenagers Molly Nasser and Amelia Watts getting more game time after returning from shoulder layoffs, Thunder defeated UNSW Wests Killer Whales 20-8.
WATCH UNSW WESTS v THUNDER DOUBLE HEADER LIVE FROM 10AM, SUNDAY ABOVE AND SCROLL DOWN FOR RESULTS AND REPLAYS FROM LAST NIGHT
Unbeaten Thunder will now enter next month’s finals’ series unbeaten after the home and away competition, having won 16 games.
The team’s only blemish was an 11-all draw against Cronulla Sharks.
There was another close call against UTS Balmain, 9-8, and the second placed Tigers will be laying in wait when the teams meet in the finals.
“The biggest challenge for us is to avoid complacency and to continue to understand that we still need to work really hard and respect every opposition,’’ Lees said.
“We need to maintain our high standards and not worry about the results, just play the way we need to play and the results will look after themselves.’’
He said he was sure the team would not be complacent given its “high level of internal discipline’’.
“They are so hungry, they really want to perform not only individuals, but as a team.
“And they have this high level of internal discipline. Discipline is not driven from the outside, it is driven from within.’’
Today the Thunder women threw up a brick wall without the ball to deny Killer Whales a sniff of victory and restrict the Sydney visitors to eight goals.
Queensland Thunder lead 10-5 at halftime and then inflated the scoreline to 15-8 by the end of the third quarter.
In this period Aussie left hander Abby Andrews produced the finishing powering, Sophie Milliken the finesse and Tenealle Fasala the trick shots.
The UNSW Wests Killer Whales have also qualified for the Perth Challenge next month.
Coach Greg McFadden said he was happy with parts of their game, but to force their way into the semi-finals by beating the two Perth teams they needed to ice their chances.
“Obviously the Thunder are a very strong team and they have a lot of depth,’' McFadden said.
“Unfortunately we are not in that situation so when we put our good players together, we are just not consistent enough.
“And when you have a little lapse against a strong team like the Thunder, they make the most of those opportunities.’’
Top of the table UNSW Wests men survived a fright to edge out Queensland Thunder by 8-4.
In a low scoring match, it was 4-all entering the last quarter and remained in the balance over the next five minutes of play despite the Killer Whales inching ahead.
But a tremendous goal by Wests’ Matthew Byrnes three minutes from fulltime - when he dived forward to knock a pass into the net - sealed the deal for his side, raising them to 7-4.
Sixth placed Thunder will now attempt to enter the final series via the Perth Challenge when they play the Western Australian teams.
Wests will sail into the finals as No.1 seed and today’s tight match may be just the hard game they needed on the eve of the finals.
Respective goalkeepers John Hedges (Wests) and Nic Porter (Thunder) were magnificent today, with Porter keeping his team in the contest with two fantastic last quarter saves.
REPLAY: THUNDER VETERAN SENDS FINALS WARNING
AUSTRALIAN water polo great Bronwen Knox has sent an ominous warning to her AWL rivals as the Thunder continue their dominant title defence.
Knox, who became the first woman to compete in four Olympics at Tokyo last year, showed every bit of her experience in the water as the Thunder maintained their undefeated run in the AWL with a 17-8 win over UNSW Wests Killer Whales.
The Killer Whales, who were in sixth place coming into the final round, will have a second chance against the Thunder on Sunday, with a win giving them an upper hand ahead of next week’s wildcard Perth Challenge.
It was Thunder veteran Knox, who stepped away from the Australian team last year, that ruled the pool with two goals across four quarters.
But it was her tactical nous and work on the defensive end that made the difference for the Thunder as Queensland constantly shutdown the advancing Killer Whales.
It is a fitting final round matchup between the two clubs who have shared the previous two AWL women’s titles between them.
Thunder duo Charlize Andrews and Kasey Dalziel also sizzled in The Valley Pool both scoring hat tricks while Australian keeper Gabi Palm proved why she had been given the nod between the sticks in Peru last month.
But when looking for a best in the water it was hard to go past Killer Whales strike weapon Kiara Holden who managed to squeeze five goals past Palm.
REPLAY: Aussie brick wall keeps Magpies on top
Australian goal keeper John Hedges has been a brick wall between the sticks all season for the UNSW Wests Magpies, and he doesn’t appear to be letting up ahead of the finals.
Fresh off a strong showing in the FINA Intercontinental Cup in Peru, and facing off against Aussie Sharks teammate Nic Porter, Hedges looked like he hadn’t missed a beat to close out a 14-9 win.
Hedges performance in goal included a thrilling penalty shot save on the stroke of halftime only moments after he had been caught out by Thunder forward Billy Miller.
Miller was easily the Thunder’s best in the water finishing with five goals and a slick assist.
The competition leaders were clinical in their efforts against a spirited Queensland Thunder, who refused to go away and even mounted a final quarter fight back.
But it was two goals inside a minute to Australian team member Charlie Negus, who finished with six for the game, which brought that fight back to an abrupt end.
The win could have come at a cost for the Magpies though with Rhys Holden likely to miss the Magpies first semi-final next month after he was shown a red card in the second quarter.
MATCH PREVIEW: The unsung heroes who held the Thunder together
Over the last three weeks Queensland Thunder’s campaign was held aloft by some mighty efforts from across the squad, including those by young players like Lulu Elliott, Kate Blew, Taafili Taoso, Eve Gath, Noah Bright, Jack Fodor, Isaac Kylie-Little and Kobe Jennison.
They all held the fort while their teammates were abroad representing Australia at the Intercontinental Cup in Peru.
So well did they go, Kate Blew and Noah Bright were match winners for their respective teams.
Lulu Elliott, who made her debut as a schoolgirl two seasons ago, said it was a great challenge for the squad playing without its six internationals.
“It allowed us to step up, get that few extra minutes in the pool and show what we can do without those girls,’’ Elliott said. “It really brought us together as a team.’’
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Goalie Eve Gath, who is normally trapped behind Aussie keeper Palm, said training and watching Palm was a “great learning experience’’.
“I get to see the way things should be done,’’ said Gath, a Polo Bears junior.
“It is really good for me to get a feel of the competition and what it is like in this standard of play.’’
Goal sneak Kate Blew, another Mermaids junior, really stood up with some crucial scores in the absence of Olympian Abby Andrews.
“I don’t mind a good outside shot every now and again,’’ joked Blew.
“It was a great opportunity in these games to really challenge my shots against the next level goalies and see what I can do.’’
Noah Bright was a match winner for the Thunder men and he cherished his chance in goals where he is normally behind international Nic Porter.
“When Alek (coach) says you are playing, you give it your all,’’ Bright said.