WATERPOLO: Strengthened centre forward stocks will underscore the campaign of the Australian men’s water polo team at the FINA World League Intercontinental tournament, with head coach Elvis Fatovic planning on selecting at least two specialist centre forwards for the event, to be held in California at the end of this month.
Fatovic has named an initial squad of 16 players for the Aussie Sharks, who will take part in a training camp in Colorado Springs a week prior to the world league, before reducing the squad to a team of 13 players for the official FINA event.
In the squad of 16 are three specialist centre forwards in Western Australia’s Joel Swift, Victoria’s Lachlan Edwards and News South Welshman Gordon Marshall, with Swift the most experienced of the trio, having been a key member of the Sharks squad at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
The Sharks coach outlined his intention to have the Aussies adapt to a game plan that includes more than one centre forward during the training camp.
“This will be our first proper tournament with two centre forwards, so we will not be disadvantaged like we have been previously, so we don’t need to find an alternative attacking system, which means we can use this to our benefit,” Fatovic said.
“We will train against the USA in Colorado Springs as they are a highly motivating training partner and were good to work with in Perth earlier this year. They will help us improve our structure so we can hit the ground running in California.”
Meanwhile, highly rated Western Australian Aaron Younger will be unable to join the team due to commitments with Croatian club VK Jug, who have qualified for the final six playoffs in the European League. Fellow Western Australian and talented young left hander Luke Pavillard will replace Younger.
Fatovic said that he was satisfied with Pavillard’s form at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Series in Perth, however noted that the teenager needs to refine a few key areas of his game if he hopes to make the team for the world league.
“I was satisfied with Luke’s performance in Perth, he has great potential but still has a lot to learn in relation to defence and making the most of attacking opportunities,” Fatovic said.
“I expect him to adapt quickly to the way we play the game, however his form tells me that he deserves to be in the squad, and like any member of the Sharks will have the respect of myself and the team, irrespective of his relative inexperience internationally.
“He is also our only left hander, so he needs to grab the opportunity to be a part of our team on this tour and make the most of it.”
The Aussie Sharks will undertake a training camp in Colorado Springs from March 23-28, before embarking on their FINA World League Intercontinental tournament campaign from March 30 to April 4 in Corona del Mar, California, USA.
Aussie Sharks Squad for FINA World League Intercontinental tournament
GK’s: James Clark (NSW), James Stanton-French (VIC)
Field Players: Richie Campbell (NSW), Johnno Cotterill (NSW), Lachlan Edwards (VIC), Mitch Emery (NSW), George Ford (WA), Jarrod Gilchrist (NSW), Rhys Howden (QLD), Tyler Martin (NSW), Gordon Marshall (NSW), William Miller (QLD), Luke Pavillard (WA), Nathan Power (NSW), Aidan Roach (NSW), Joel Swift (WA)
Waterpolo Australia
