Australia water polo league: the best match-ups before cancellation

The best games at the Australian Water Polo League before its cancellation.

There will be plenty of action in games involving NSW and Sydney teams at the Australian Water Polo League.

It’s a tournament pitting the best water polo talent in the country against each other and crucial for players chasing Olympic selection.

The Australian Water Polo League was to have begun on Wednesday but has now been cancelled due to the COVID outbreak in Brisbane.

Rowena Webster punched in the face by a Brazilian rival at the Rio Olympics.

CRONULLA V BALMAIN, WOMEN

These two famous Sydney clubs share a long and proud history. They also boast some of Australia’s leading female players, Olympians and Olympic hopefuls.

Balmain’s top scorers Australian captain Rowie Webster and fellow Stinger Pascalle Casey are expected to make a big impression in the match.

So too are fellow Stingers teammates Maddy Steere and Lena Mihailovic who add experience to a relatively young but motivated Cronulla side.

Tilly Kearns and her father, former Wallaby Phil Kearns, as a junior player.

SYDNEY UNI WOMEN V ADELAIDE JETS

The first appearance of a side many believe are favourites to win the women’s competition this year.

This Sydney Uni team is bursting with talent and big names and bringing top form into the tournament.

Rio Olympians Hannah Buckling and Keesja Gofers will be on the start sheet as will Tokyo Olympic hopeful Tilly Kearns, daughter of former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns.

The Adelaide Jets have plenty of young talent to keep an eye on, including Tara Logan, Eliza Moroney Plouffe and Tayla Dawkins.

Bronwen Knox is one of the best players in the country.

QUEENSLAND THUNDER V UNSW WESTS, WOMEN

There is nothing like a battle between NSW and Queensland in any sport and water polo is no different.

This is a big match in the women’s competition with both these clubs expected to feature prominently in the finals.

Olympic great Bronwen Knox leads a Queensland Thunder side many are touting as major contenders for the title this year after winning the women’s com in 2019 - the last time it was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Water polo star and Tokyo Olympic hopeful Bronte Halligan.

The UNSW team also has plenty of star power and an experienced Olympian at the helm in 2016 Rio Games gin Lea Yanitsas. Also playing for the NSW are Tokyo hopefuls Bronte Halligan and Amy Ridge.

Goalkeeper Anthony Hrysanthos will be key to Sydney Uni’s success at the championships.

DRUMMOYNE DEVILS V SYDNEY UNI LIONS, MEN

This match is tipped to be a ripper between cross town rivals, the Drummoyne Devils and Sydney Uni Lions.

Some of the best water polo talent - and rising stars of the game - will be on display in this match.

Goalkeeper Anthony Hrysanthos in action for Australia.

This is potentially a top-of-the-table stoush with plenty of heat expected.

The Sydney Uni Lions boast Australian goalie Anthony Hrysanthos. He is well supported by Rio Olympians George Ford and Jono Cotterill in the field.

The Devils boast two-time Olympian Aidan Roach, Tokyo Olympic hopefuls and brothers Blake and Lachlan Edwards and also retired Olympian Tyler Martin who played in Rio.

James Clark playing at the Australian Youth Olympics.

BALMAIN TIGERS V CRONULLA SHARKS, MEN

Both of these clubs have a long and proud history and neither side will give an inch in this rounds battle.

There is no love lost between these two sides, two of the oldest water polo clubs in Sydney.

In the Balmain side is Joel Smith, the son of Sydney Olympic gold medallist Bronwyn Maher and former Wallaby Damian Smith.

London 2012 Olympian James Clark is a defensive star and is in the cage for UTS Balmain Tigers.

The Cronulla side is full of young talent and could well surprise.

Rhys Howden playing in the Queensland Premier League.

NEWCASTLE HURRICANES V QUEENSLAND THUNDER, MEN

An up-and-coming Hurricanes side will be pitted against one of the most experienced men’s teams in Queensland Thunder.

The Hurricanes are lead by dual Olympian Daniel Marsden who is now a coach.

His sons Keenan and Mitchell are in the Hurricanes side.

Leading the Queensland side into battle are 2012 Olympic teammates Rhys Howden and Billy Miller and Beijing Olympian Anthony Martin.

Lea Yanitsas with her son Dino at Maroubra in March 2020.

UNSW WESTS V DRUMMOYNE DEVILS, WOMEN

The Drummoyne Devils aren't taken lightly by any team.

But UNSW Wests have three members of the Aussie Stingers in their line-up in Lea Yanitsas, Amy Ridge and Bronte Halligan so have plenty of star power.

The Devils have their Tokyo Olympic hopeful in Elle Armitt.

Goalkeeper Lea Yanitsas of Australia protects the net during a Test between Australia and the US.

Inner West brothers Blake and Lachie Edwards are hoping to play in Tokyo.

MORE SPORT

Sydney goalie puts body on line for teammates

Daughter of rugby gun on Olympic water polo mission

Rising city and country stars of NSW Netball

Incredible: From near death to Olympic dreaming

MORE WATER POLO AND LOCAL SPORT HERE