10 Geelong stars to watch in region’s tri-state tournament revealed

The tri-state tournament is set to begin on Saturday in Geelong. Read about some of the region’s best young athletes here.

Bella Williams, Zoe Russell, Bella Wright, Josh Hirst, Lillian Currie, Charlotte Brereton, Harry Talbot. Geelong Junior Marlins players represent the state in national water polo championships this month. Picture:David Smith

Geelong is set to host some of the country’s best young water polo talent when the tri-state tournament arrives on Saturday.

Find out which of Geelong’s young talent could play a big part in the success of the side.

Watch the livestream of all the finals on Sunday here.

Isaac MacPherson

MacPherson has a big frame for a player still plying his trade in the junior program.

The star teenager was another member of Victoria’s gold medal-winning side at the national championships.

MacPherson’s big frame gives him great length in the pool, as well as enough strength to compete against more mature physiques.

Marlins organiser Deb Johnson said Isaac was “already such a good senior player, and he’s still got a few more years of growing to do.”

Isaac Macpherson is a future star in the pool.

Zoe Russell

Russell has already shown she is ready for senior representative water polo once she graduates from the age bracket, but she is still eligible for under-18s on the weekend.

She is another player from Geelong that has spent years in the representative pathways, and will get another chance to show why she is one of the region’s best players this weekend.

Marlins president Bec Talbot said Russell “is a great player at the representative level”.

Bella Wright

The under-18s keeper has played her fair share of representative water polo, and will be one of the side’s more senior players on the weekend.

Wright’s great athleticism in the water gives her plenty of opportunities to make great saves, and is a superb shot stopper.

Harry Talbot

One of the region’s most talented junior players, Talbot has a bright future in the sport.

The under-16s gun recently won gold for Victoria in the national championships, alongside some other Geelong teammates.

Talbot has a strong arm and glides effortlessly through the water, and more than holds his own against senior players.

Johnson said Talbot was “one of the most committed players” in the junior program.

Harry Talbot is one of the best young talents in Geelong’s water polo program.

Lillian Currie

Currie is another Marlin that has spent a lot of her young career in representative teams, so she has experience against some of the best players in the country.

The under-16s star is a strong shooter from any position in the pool, and shows great leadership from a young age.

Zoe Langler

Despite being one of the youngest players that will enter the pool on the weekend, Langler is a future star of the Geelong Marlins program.

She will play in the under-12s mixed side in the tri-state tournament, but already she is showing signs of serious talent moving forward through her junior career.

Josh Hirst

Hirst will wear the #1 cap on the weekend and will be an important part of his side’s defensive structure.

The under-16s goalkeeper has been in good form for club and representative sides, offering stiff competition for opposing shooters.

Hirst was another member of Victoria’s gold medal side at the national championships.

Josh Hirst is one of the region’s best keepers.

Freddie Robertson

Freddie Robertson is another young gun in the making, playing in the under-12s mixed side.

Robertson is accurate when shooting for goal, and is a strong swimmer who can get to the disputed balls at a rapid rate.

Freddie Robertson.

Isla Corlett

Turning out for the girls’ under-14s side, Isla Corlett will be a key player in the team’s chances of success on the weekend.

Corlett is a versatile player who plays different roles at a high level, and has clear strengths in swimming.

Harvey MacPherson

Water polo runs in the family, with Harvey MacPherson set to play in the under-14s side on the weekend.

His older brother, Isaac, is a star for the under-16s side, and Harvey has very similar traits that makes him a genuine future gun.

Equipped with a strong arm, MacPherson’s shooting form is very good for his age bracket.

Originally published as 10 Geelong stars to watch in region’s tri-state tournament revealed