World water polo championships: Australia’s draw, squads, medal chances, players being watched

Our water polo teams are in action at the Budapest world titles this week with selectors keen to see how a few key and young players go. Who are the powers of the sport watching? And why?

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

3 min read

June 20, 2022 - 9:49AM

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One’s the daughter of a former sport star, another the son of an Aussie water polo gun.

Two others are young guns on the rise.

But all these NSW players be under close scrutiny at the world championships in Budapest this week for different reasons.

Water Polo Australia performance boss Charles Turner has identified a number of players who will be watched closely at the world championships just over two years out from the Paris Olympics.

Australian water polo young gun Pascalle Casey. Pic: Supplied

“Tilly Kearns, she is important because she bring some profile to the position she plays in. She was a young player in the team in Tokyo but there is now a chance for her to be a leader in the team,’’ Turner said of the daughter of Wallaby Phil Kearns from Mosman.

“Zoe (Arancini) is a veteran and the new captain. She’s a class player and she will have an opportunity to stake a claim and show she can lead the team to success.

“She captained at the Intercontinental Cup we won.

“Another player we want to look at are Pascalle Casey who has been playing in Greece. She’s a NSW athlete and utility player. This is her first real major opportunity.

“And another is Gabi Palm, our goalie. She’s been playing for a while and in Tokyo was the second goal keeper but now is by far the best.”

Tilly Kearns was one of the younger players in Tokyo last year.

Turner said if the women are able to taste success in Hungary it will be a major boost ahead of their bid for Olympic success in Paris.

“We are building our team around this new group. If they can get a good results it will give us a lot of confidence for Paris,” he said.

Sharks players are also being looked at closely in the pressure situation of a world championship event.

Chaz Poot is a player on the rise. Pic: Supplied

“Chaz Poot from Sydney Uni scores lots of goals. His uncle Michael was a national player and we are hoping he will step up,’’ Turner said.

“Another is Luke Pavillard who has benne playing in Barcelona. He can play everywhere and is left handed. He’s big and strong but missed Tokyo. He was a reserve.

“We are hoping to build around him. He was a linchpin of our team in Peru and his potential is not fully realised.’’

“Another is Keenan Mardsen. His father Daniel was a national captain but they are different players.

“He is a new player who has played at the junior level and is a driver who is good at counter attack.’'

Water polo young gun Keenan Marsden’s father also played at a high level. Pic: Supplied

STINGERS AND SHARKS MEDAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Turner said there are high hopes of medal success for the women in Hungary.

“We have huge expectation for the women’s program … we think they are a medal chance. We would be disappointed if they didn’t make the top four,” he said.

“The boys will do it a bit tough. They have a tough draw with Serbia and USA in their draw and we are short on some players.

“The boys, we are in a rebuilding stage, but we are hoping to make the top eight.”

AUSSIE STINGERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM 2022

Abby Andrews (QLD), Charlize Andrews (QLD), Zoe Arancini (WA), Hayley Ballesty (NSW), Tenealle Fasala (QLD), Bronte Halligan (NSW), Tilly Kearns (NSW), Bridget Leeson-Smith (QLD), Genevieve Longman (NSW), Lena Mihailovic (NSW), Gabi Palm (QLD), Amy Ridge (NSW), Alice Williams (QLD), Ruby Swadling (NSW), Pascalle Casey (NSW)

AUSSIE SHARKS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM 2022

Blake Edwards (VIC), George Ford (WA), John Hedges (WA), Rhys Holden (NSW), Angus Lambie (NSW), Keenan Marsden (NSW), Tom McJannett (NSW), Charlie Negus (NSW), Luke Pavillard (WA), Chaz Poot (NSW), Nic Porter (QLD), Nathan Power (NSW), Tim Putt (WA), Nick Elphick (WA). Reilly Townsend (QLD)