NSWIS trio impressive in Aussie water polo win

Three NSWIS athletes have scored seven of the Australian men’s water polo team’s goals in their 8-6 defeat of the USA in a friendly game played at the University of Southern California.

The match was part of a double header with the Australian men and women’s national water polo teams taking on the USA in games televised live on American network NBC. While the men triumphed, the women suffered a 14-11 loss to the reigning Olympic and world champions. 

Leading the charge for the national men’s team, the Aussie Sharks, was dual Olympian Richie Campbell with three goals, while Kiwi import Joe Kayes also put three shots in the back of the cage in a standout international debut for the Aussie Sharks. Fellow NSWIS athlete Nathan Power also scored during an extra man play.

Known for the defensive mentality encouraged by head coach Elvis Fatovic, the Aussies led from start to finish in a display Campbell said was indicative of the team’s strengths. 

“The boys really played solid defence today, we’ve been working on our defence all week against a strong American attack,” Campbell told Water Polo Australia. 

“Today we really stuck to our guns and played a solid four quarters of defence.

“It’s been a tough week, we have had a lot of games with the USA team, a lot of swim sets, a lot of gym work, so to finish on a win is a positive sign for us.”

Rounding out the NSWIS contingent in the Australian men’s team was Johnno Cotterill, Jarrod Gilchrist, Aidan Roach, Tyler Martin, Mitch Emery, James Clark and Joel Dennerley. 

Meanwhile the Australian women’s team, the Aussie Stingers put together a strong display against the USA, but conversely to the Sharks it was defence that was their weakness. 

“It was disappointing, our extra man defence was the thing that really let us down – they scored their first six goals, that allowed them to get their three goal buffer from the start,” coach Greg McFadden said to Water Polo Australia. 

“The girls showed a lot of character, to score 11 goals against America is a great achievement but our defence needs to improve.” 

Hannah Buckling, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Keesja Gofers, Bronwen Knox, Isobel Bishop, Nicola Zagame, Bronte Halligan, Jayde Appel and Lea Yanitsas represented the NSWIS in the Aussie Stingers team.