Aussie Sharks hailed ‘best ever’ title by legend

While the Aussie Sharks missed finishing the Water Polo World Cup in Sydney with a bronze medal, they received the ultimate accolade from the ‘Grandfather of Australian water polo,’ Tom Hoad AM.

Hoad, who was selected to compete in water polo at four Olympics from 1960-72, and who coached the national teams which contested the four Games from 1976-88, described the current Sharks squad as the best to have worn the green and gold.

The 86-year-old, who unashamedly shed tears of joy after the underdog Aussies  defeated world champions Spain 23-21 in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their semi against Hungary – which they lost by a goal – before Italy denied them the bronze medal.

“If you’d have said to me ‘we’d beat the world champions Spain and be 12-12 in the last 15 seconds against Hungary, who are the legends of water polo’, I’d say: ‘imagine the things you could never do,” said Hoad proudly.

“They performed magnificently. They leave the rest [previous Australian men’s teams] for dead. They are the best team we have ever had, without question. They’re competitive at the highest level.

“I’ve seen all the teams since 1960, so I know what I am talking about. [In the past] we’d play a good game now, and a good game later. When we first went to the Olympics  [in 1960] we had no idea of what it was about.

“I went to Hungary and studied and then went to Germany and played and grew my knowledge.”

Sharks coach Tim Hamill said he and his team – which included New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holders Laurence Barker and Tristan Glanznig –  valued the compliment from someone of Hoad’s status.

“It’s a huge rap and it meant a great deal to the playing group,” said Hamill. “Tom has probably seen more international water polo games from an Australian point of view than any other person – so for him to say those words meant a great deal to the group.”

Hamill said he was ecstatic with his team’s performance.

“You mention the word ‘fight’ . . . you mention the word ‘spark’ . . . and character is very important in this group, and we found that in Paris,” he said.

“To be truthful, I don’t think we’ve played our best water polo since Paris. We had a disappointing 2025, but I think this campaign, this week, whilst not winning a medal,  really kickstarts what could be an exciting two leading into LA and of course Brisbane after that.”  

Hamill also paid tribute to NSWIS’s staff for the work they’ve invested in priming 22-year-old goalkeeper Barker, who made an impact on the series from the moment he was sent into play the final quarter and subsequent penalty shootout against Spain.

“I’m really grateful for the support NSWIS has given the Individual Scholarship process to Laurence and a few other players in the team,” he said. “It’s really helpful and hopefully that showed – the work all the NSWIS support team do for Laurence.

“He’s been excellent . . . we’re really fortunate to know we have two quality goalkeepers. Nic Porter has been in the group for some time now, and is a wonderful goalkeeper, and now all of a sudden, we have two.”

“[Barker is] developing everything he can at the moment. Physically he is superb, the NSWIS support team keep asking if there is anything else they can do for him, but there’s not much else.

“For Laurence it’s just about time playing international water polo now. This week was the first time he’d played big minutes in international water polo, it’s exciting to see what he can do with more minutes moving forward.”

Hamill also praised the impact 23 year old Glanznig had on the squad.

“Tristan’s got great character,” he said. “His work ethic during a game has been  amazing.

“He’s been playing overseas which has really helped his game, still connected through the NSWIS program which is great, and he has an exciting future ahead of him as well.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS