Geraldton men’s water polo grand final: B52’s dominate securing all flags

The B52’s dominated across the men’s grades, securing all grand final victories to conclude the Geraldton water polo season in a thrilling Saturday at the Aquarena.

The men’s A-grade final was a fitting, thrilling conclusion to the season, with the B52’s rounding off their grand final sweep with an 8-5 victory over a determined Demons side.

Zacc Cross was named best in pool for Demons, displaying boundless energy and keeping his team in contention until the final whistle.

The B52’s struck the perfect balance between experience and youthful exuberance, with the composed leadership of Daniel Prout, Corey Smith, Mick Rock and Kurt Tunbridge complementing the dynamic play of Callum Sojan, Leo Prout, and Ben Naisbitt.

Special mention must be paid to B52’s coach and veteran player Brendan Hagan who played a crucial role from the sidelines, his tactical awareness and well-timed substitutions and calm head proving instrumental in the victory.

The juniors and C-grade players kicked off the action in the morning, setting the tone for a day of high-quality water polo. The junior boys delivered a commanding performance, defeating Demons 11-4.

Brody Lamond was awarded best in pool, contributing two goals and multiple assists in a strong team display where every player played their part. Despite the scoreline, Demons had their moments, with Isaac Hayes standing out for the runners-up.

In the C-grade final, the B52’s proved too strong once again, claiming a 10-4 victory. Veteran player Ray Godenzie led by example, scoring three goals and earning the best in pool award.

His leadership guided the younger members of the team through a spirited and competitive contest. Demons, while outmatched on the scoreboard, showed resilience, with Colby Bunter putting in a solid effort between the posts.

The men’s B-grade final provided an exciting derby clash, with the experienced B52 Relics taking on the youthful and energetic B52’s outfit.

The Relics put up a strong fight, keeping the game level until half-time, but the younger squad’s superior fitness and endurance came into play in the second half. Goals from Ben Naisbitt, Leo Prout and their teammates flowed freely as the B52’s surged ahead to secure a 12-6 victory. It was a fitting result for the team, capping off a dominant season with their fourth consecutive grand final win.

A clean sweep of grand final wins is no easy feat, but the B52’s delivered across the board, showcasing their strength, skill, and depth in a remarkable season of water polo.