Live stream: Queensland Thunder host Fremantle Marlins in final round of Australian Water Polo League

Queensland Thunder had all the momentum on the back of a five-goal final quarter. But Fremantle had other plans. See the amazing finish between two of the top women’s AWL sides.

Sarah Leavy scored a sneaky winner with four seconds left on the clock as Fremantle had the final say against Queensland Thunder in one of the best games of the Australian Water Polo women’s season.

The Mariners, beaten 13-9 by the same team a little over 12 hours earlier, seemingly had this game at their mercy when they raced out to a 7-3 three-quarter time lead.

But Thunder hit back spectacularly behind Kasey Dalziel’s double - and even took an 8-7 lead into the final two minutes of the match.

The Mariners though piled on the pressure and exclusions for Thunder stars Sienna Owen and Jamie Oberman proved costly.

American star Ioanna Haralabidis scored her third goal of the game with a little over 90 seconds remaining before Leavy, who has only scored six goals all season, provided an unlikely source of inspiration with an angled shot which seemed to catch the Queensland defence by surprise.

Queensland Thunder v Fremantle Mariners (Men)

Meanwhile, Queensland Thunder men produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Fremantle Mariners 11-8.

There will be no finals for the Thunder again this year but the future looks bright judging by this performance.

Smith Connors, Slade du Randt and Marcus Moncur all scored doubles as the Thunder did all the damage in an impressive first half.

Replay: Queensland Thunder v Fremantle Marlins (Women)

PREVIEW

The race for a top two finish in the Australian Water Polo League’s women’s competition has come down to the final week - and there is no bigger game than at Fortitude Valley Pool on Sunday.

Queensland Thunder, Fremantle Marlins and UTS Balmain Tigers are all in contention for a coveted top two position, with the Thunder set to host the Marlins in a double header this weekend.

HOW AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO LEAGUE FINALS SERIES WORKS

“Every team knows how important finishing in the two is this year,” Fremantle star Glencora McGhie said.

“It’s a major benefit, and I want that benefit.”

All of the action from this blockbuster match will be available to stream LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV on Sunday from 8:30am AEST.

The Marlins have been strong all year, only recording two losses to Balmain and Sydney Uni - and both of those were on a long road trip to Sydney in March.

They’re set to bring a near-full strength squad on the long journey to Queensland and McGhie said the two games back-to-back can be tough.

“There’s certainly a home advantage when you don’t have to travel,” McGhie admitted.

It’s a big weekend for Glencora McGhie and Fremantle.

“Queensland have already had to come to Perth during the season, but they only played UWA.

“It is what it is, though, we’ve got to travel, we’ve got to play and we’ve got to win.

No matter the result this weekend, both teams will feature in the finals series kicking off later this month.

McGhie said while the advantage of a top two finish is obviously beneficial, it’s crucial the team doesn’t rely on the extra game.

“I’ve been part of too many finals series where finals structures have been different, and sometimes having that game off gets you too relaxed,” McGhie said.

“Our team is very experienced in finals, no one will be putting up their feet.

“If we manage to finish top and get that day off, it’s not going to be home and hosed, some of the teams sitting four to six are just as tough as those going for the top two.”

Originally published as Live stream: Queensland Thunder host Fremantle Marlins in final round of Australian Water Polo League