Live stream: Victorian Phoenix battle ACU Cronulla Sharks in Australian Water Polo League Pride Round

Daniel Magasanik scored three times from penalties, including the decisive blow, as Victorian Phoenix and Cronulla traded 51 goals in an Australian Water Polo League men’s classic. Watch the REPLAYS.

Daniel Magasanik and Tyson Mutsch proved the heroes in the penalty shootout as Victorian Phoenix opened their 2024 Australian Water Polo League men’s campaign with a pulsating 26-25 overtime win against the Cronulla Sharks.

Konstantinos Saltas looked to have given the Phoenix a win in regulation time when he scored 54 seconds from the end, but the Sharks hit back with just 12 seconds through goal machine Rhys Holden to tie the scores at 13-13 at fulltime.

Both sides traded goals in an exciting shootout before entering sudden death.

Mutsch, who ended up with six goals, hit the winning shot as the Sharks slumped to three losses to start to the season.

Magasanik scored seven goals, including three in the shootout and two each in the first and second quarters.

Victorian Phoenix v ACU Cronulla Sharks (Women)

Earlier, the Sharks women broke their 2024 AWL duck with a 12-7 win over the Phoenix, but the game was very much in the mix up until the final few minutes.

Beaten in both their games last weekend, the Sharks began slowly in Melbourne but warmed to their task in the third quarter, scoring six goals to push out to a three-goal advantage.

The Phoenix had their chances to draw closer but the Sharks defensive unit held firm.

Two late goals from Japanese star Hikaru Shitara gave the victory the convincing feel.

Earlier, the Phoenix scored the opening two goals through Zoe Hille and were good value for their halftime 4-3 lead.

PREVIEW

Three-time Olympian Rowie Webster has always stood proudly at the coalface of the fight for inclusion in sport.

A proud member of the LGBTQ community, Webster has been a leader in the space working with governing bodies like the Australian Institute of Sport to help foster a safer space in sport.

Her hard work in the space will be realised this weekend when Water Polo Australia hosts its official Pride Round across the Australian Water Polo League.

It is fitting that Webster’s Victorian Phoenix, who start their season against the ACU Cronulla Sharks, will be KommunityTV’s feature live stream match of the round.

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For almost a decade the Phoenix as a club have led the charge in the inclusion space, celebrating diversity in water polo with their own pride games.

Former Olympian Rowie Webster coaching in the Australian Water Polo League.

To see the national body also take up that charge across the country, with the inclusion of special pride matches and come-and-try sessions aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, has given Webster her own sense of personal pride.

“It’s about support, it’s about respect, it’s about love, it’s about equality,” Webster said.

“It’s about creating a safe space because water polo is a sport for everyone and everyone deserves to feel part of the community.

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“It’s unbelievably important for people to have a safe space because the statistics are against a lot of people in the community.

“It’s a priority for us to make sure everyone is safe, no matter your race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. This round is especially important and it’s great to see the whole community coming together and showing their support.

“Just starting that conversation is really healthy.”

Pride flag hanging above the pool at Melbourne Collegians games.

The Phoenix will don the rainbow swimming caps this week, and will be ready with a set for their rivals Cronulla, but that is as far as the favours will go at the Caulfield Grammar pool.

Webster only has a young squad going into the new Australian Water Polo League season, but said they would be determined to use the occasion as fuel in front of a strong crowd.

“We’re proud of our leading the way in this space for water polo in Australia and that it has now led to something broader,” Webster said.

“We had the bye last week, so it’s exciting we have the Pride Round first up and at home.

Rowie Webster played over 300 games for Australia.

We’re hoping to get a full community support against Cronulla.

“We’re a young team, we come from all different walks of life and it’s really cool we get the full support of the community.”

The Phoenix won’t be given any favours by the Sharks women who went down to the UNSW Wests Killerwhales in a one-point thriller at home last weekend.

The Sharks men are also coming off a tough loss to UNSW Wests, and will be determined to get a win on the road against an exciting young Victorian side led by the experience of Daniel Egan and brothers Samson and Daniel Magasanik.