The Brisbane Barracudas and Victorian Tigers have highlighted their potential ahead of this year's National Water Polo League medal matches with resounding victories over the Adelaide Jets and Balmain Tigers on day one of the finals series.

The two tournament favourites dominated their matches to signal a warning to their closest rivals, the Fremantle Marlins and Cronulla Sharks.

The three-time defending champions showed great intent in their clash with the Adelaide Jets to triumph 15-6. Aussie Stingers' sisters Kate Gynther and Melissa Rippon both scored four goals, while Kiwi import Anna Sieprath and powerhouse Ashleigh Southern netted three.

Victoria was equally impressive as they breezed past Balmain 11-4. Genevieve Venosta and Rowie Webster netted three each, including a combined four goals in the fourth term, while Alli Van Ommen pitched in with two.

In the first game of the day, the Fremantle Marlins overcame a gallant Balmain side to take their clash 6-4.

The Marlins were up 5-2 heading into the last quarter before Balmain clawed their way back with two quick goals to Pascalle Casey and Breanna Appel.

The power and experience of the Fremantle girls then prevailed in the dying moments, with Glencora Ralph and Ebony Neesham netting doubles to seal the two goal victory.

Playing in their first ever national league finals game, the Adelaide Jets came out of the blocks firing in their clash with the Cronulla Sharks, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.

Cronulla then bounced back in the second and third terms netting six goals to one including three to Maddie Schmid.

Both teams then played out a goalless final period to end the game at 9-3. While disappointed at his team's two losses, Jets coach Eddie Denis was encouraged by the development of his girls and credited their ability to rise to the big occasion.

"Hopefully their appearance at these finals will make them want to come back again next year," Denis said.

"They have performed incredibly all year and I am very happy with the whole group.

"I would have liked our attack to be a little bit more fluent today, but in saying that, this has been the most goals we have scored against the top teams all season and our defence was top notch again."

Tomorrow's games see the Victorian Tigers play the Fremantle Marlins and Brisbane Barracudas face last year's final opponents Cronulla Sharks.

Results: Brisbane Barracudas 15 (Kate Gynther 4, Melissa Rippon 4, Ashleigh Southern 3, Anna Sieprath 3, Lauren Sieprath) bt Adelaide Jets 6 (Lucinda Swan 2, Nicole Redder, Melissa Taylor, Emy Van Duijn, Chloe Barr). Qtrs: 6-1, 3-2, 2-1, 4-1.

Victorian Tigers 11 (Rowie Webster 3, Genevieve Venosta 3, Alli Van Ommen 2, Larissa Webster, Bronwen Knox, Maddy Steere) bt Balmain 4 (Breanna Appel 2, Taryn Woods). Qtrs: 1-1, 3-0, 3-2, 4-1.

Fremantle Marlins 6 (Glencora Ralph 2, Ebony Neesham 2, Gemma Beadsworth, Zoe Arancini) bt Balmain Tigers 4 (Pascalle Casey, Breanna Appel, Tayla Walsh, Amy Hetzel). Qtrs: 2-0, 2-1, 1-1, 1-2.

Cronulla Sharks 9 (Maddie Schmid 4, Holly Lincoln-Smith 2, Nicola Zagame, Jessica Brooks, Lena Mihailovic) bt Adelaide Jets (Jessica Martin, Lucinda Swan 1, Chloe Barr 1). Qtrs: 3-2, 2-0, 4-1, 0-0.

For the current standings

For the full schedule click here bit.ly/IdNlnJ

Australian Water Polo Inc