Watch This Space...Throughout this season of the NWPL, AWPI will be providing a week by week coverage of all the results, big match previews and news and information.

Can the Balmain make it a winning return to the Dawn Fraser Pool? (Anthony Pearse/Pearse Photography)

Water polo action returns to the Dawn Fraser Pool this weekend, with the Balmain Tigers hosting the Drummoyne Devils in their week eight local derby clash.

The picturesque Sydney venue has been out of action for the last three weeks due to Sydney's monumental rain.

In that time, the Tigers have been forced to play home games at neighbouring Ashfield, Sydney Uni and Drummoyne pools, with the girls' controversial draw against the Brisbane Barracudas a highlight.*

This week they face a Drummoyne Devils side that picked up their first win of the year against the UWA Torpedoes in Perth last Friday.

Balmain coach Phil Bower said the girls had been impressive all year and just needed to maintain their momentum heading into the finals.

"The girls just have to keep beating the teams below them and we should wrap up fifth place on the ladder," Bower said.

"We only have the game against Victoria remaining and then all our other matches are against teams below us on the ladder, so we're confident we can get that top six spot."

In other women's action, Drummoyne host Hunter Hurricanes on Saturday, with both teams eager to secure their second and third wins of the season.

The Balmain men have a tough end to their year, needing to win almost all of their games to make the playoffs.

It has been a story of many frustrations for Bower and the Balmain men, with star Aussie Sharks goalkeeper, James Clark, missing the last few games due to injury.

Add that to the absence of fellow Australian representative Chris Dyson, who is playing overseas in France, and the men's stocks have been bare.

Bower, who admitted the season had been a bit frustrating, said the guys were looking forward to their rivalry with Drummoyne and said a win on Sunday was possible.

"The men have been a little disappointing I guess, and we're now in a position where we have to win every game," Bower said.

"But we are starting to get a full squad back together and having James (Clark) and Gavin (Woods) in any team is a bonus.

"It's also good to be back at the Dawny pool, as it is definitely a benefit for us to play our matches there, so we're looking for a big performance against Drummoyne and hopefully we can come through."

Balmain is currently ninth on the ladder and are two wins behind the seventh placed UWA Torpedoes, while Drummoyne face the Hurricanes a day earlier as they look to consolidate fifth position.

The Hurricanes, who are also a mathematical chance of making the top six, have only played two games in the past two weeks, and will look to avenge their 9-7 loss to the Devils earlier in the competition.

In a reduced schedule, just the four matches will be placed. Shannon Jones will play her 100th NWPL game on Saturday.

*Note: The 16-16 draw between the Balmain Tigers and Brisbane Barracudas is not official as the result is still subject to appeal

For the full list of results and fixtures go to bit.ly/xaq1S8

For current men's ladder

For current women's ladder


Australian Water Polo