Australian Water Polo League live stream: AJ Roach comes out of retirement to play for Drummoyne

While Cronulla produced a stirring fightback to avoid defeat in the opening Australian Water Polo League live stream match, they left their run too late in the other. Relive the action from the doubleheader.

Zoe Arancini led by example for the Fremantle Marlins, with the Olympic gun proving to be a four-goal hero in an entertaining Australian Water Polo League (AWL) victory against Cronulla on Sunday.

The Marlins scored five unanswered goals in the second quarter to set up their 11-8 win, which followed on from their 12-9 victory against the Sharks on Saturday.

The Western Australian team are considered the leading contenders to end Queensland’s long title reign.

And they dominated from the start, taking a 4-3 lead into the second period before extending their jump over Cronulla to 8-3 by halftime.

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Cronulla came to life in the third to score three and to trail 6-10 at the next break.

But the damage was done with the Sharks unable to claw back the deficit as Fremantle ended the weekend undefeated.

Karli Canale was a standout for Cronulla on Sunday with a goal in the first and third periods.

Meanwhile, in the men’s game, a final quarter surge saw the Cronulla Sharks escape with a 7-7 draw against a Drummoyne Devils side intent on making amends for a crucial loss a day earlier.

Jesse Taylar scored the equaliser with just over four minutes remaining on the clock after the Devils had entered the final period up 7-5.

The in-form Nick Brooks was integral in the fightback, scoring two of his three goals in the final period of the see-sawing match.

Brooks was a standout for Cronulla over the weekend after also nailing four goals in the Sharks 11-7 victory over the Devils on Saturday night.

ACU Cronulla Sharks v Drummoyne Devils (Men)

Smarting from this loss, the Devils came out with intent on Sunday, fighting their way back from an early 1-2 deficit to lead by two heading into the final stanza.

But the Sharks showed both composure and grit to battle their way back.

In the first match between the two old rivals on Saturday, Tristan Glanznig and Alex Gheorge both contributed two goals each as Brooks starred.

Leo Hurley and Nick Hallam were best for the Devils in the first--up loss with two goals each.

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He’s one of Australia’s best known water polo players - and he has a famous sporting surname to boot.

Now AJ Roach, son of NRL legend Blocker, will be returning to competitive waters for his old club Drummoyne Devils in the Australian Water Polo League championship series.

Roach is coming out of retirement to suit up for the Devils with their captain, Blake Edwards, absent due to Australian commitments.

You can watch his return LIVE on KommunityTV on Sunday morning when Drummoyne face Cronulla at 11am. The women’s battle between Cronulla and the Fremantle Marlins follows that game at 12.30pm.

Roach said he was looking forward to returning to the pool alongside old teammates and friends.

“I haven’t played at this level since the finals last year in April,’’ he said.

“I’m just coming back to help out where I can.

“I’m not really nervous. My role is a little different from before. I’m just playing a supporting role and chipping in to help.’’

‘LOADS OF TALENT’: Get ready for five weeks of AWL excitement

Roach said he is expecting a tough test for the Devils, especially with Edwards just one of a number of players missing.

“It will be difficult, but we are up for the challenge,’’ he said.

Cronulla will be without their young Australian player Marcus Berehulak for the match.

AJ Roach is back to bolster the Devils line-up in the AWL.

He and Edwards are representing Australia at the World Cup as the Sharks’ preparations for the Paris Olympics step up a notch.

Berehulak, a Queensland junior and one of Australia’s rising stars of the pool, has moved south to further his water polo career with the Sutherland Shire club.

Drummoyne finished third at the end of the opening stanza of the AWL to secure their spot in the championship series.

Cronulla finished fifth but are being touted as a dark horse as they continue to grow throughout the season.

The Cronulla women’s side face a tough workout against the Fremantle Marlins - a side being tipped as more than capable of ending the long domination of Queensland Thunder, who are yet to be defeated this year.

Originally published as Australian Water Polo League live stream: AJ Roach comes out of retirement to play for Drummoyne