WATER POLO: The iconic structure that is Bondi Icebergs may have cast a shadow over the pool below but the Aussie Sharks and International All Stars put on a bright and sunny display on a great night for water polo.
 
Sydney’s society set dotted every nook and cranny and the second Water Polo By The Sea, organised by Australia’s four-time Olympian Thomas Whalan, was a stunner.
 
The big question revolved around whether the talent in the pool – the Aussie Sharks squad included six members of the team from the London Olympic Games and the All Stars featured Hungarian triple-Olympic gold medallist Tamas Kasas, Italy’s Olympic silver medallists from 2012 Maurizio Felugo and Deni Fiorentini and four-time Olympic champion coach Ratko Rudic on the side of the pool – was better than the scantily clad talent along Icebergs’ many balconies that included TV personalities, sporting stars, models and various other ‘people about town’. It was a close call, maybe a dead heat.
 
Sydney Swans premiership winning players Jude Bolton and Ted Richards got in on the action too, taking part in the three quarter time penalty shootout.
 
For the record, the Aussie Sharks won 9-8, but it wasn’t the score that counted. It may be a cliché but water polo in Australia really was the winner.
 
The Australians, seemingly far more comfortable in the surrounds early on, led 2-0 at quarter time and 6-5 at the main break. At the final intermission it was 7-6 and the International All Stars had taken the lead. But fittingly the Australians fought back for what was a popular victory.
 
Aussie Sharks star Aaron Younger, who netted a pair of goals, said Water Polo By The Sea was a wonderful concept and his side appreciated the home crowd.
 
“It was a great night and to be able to look up and see a crowd like that cheering us on was amazing,” Younger said.
 
“It really is exciting to see water polo getting this sort of recognition.”

Water Polo Australia Inc.