Local water polo season ignites with cracking round four matches at Narrabri Aquatic Centre

Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club’s 2025/26 campaign delivered its closest and most exciting round of the season, with all three matches going right down to the wire in round four.
Players, coaches and spectators were treated to fast, end-to-end water polo and high-energy finishes that kept everyone on their feet as two games were decided by one goal, and the other saw a last-second goal force a draw.

The evening began with a high-energy match between the Club Narrabri Marlins and Bellevue Barracudas, which the Barracudas won 7-6.

The Barracudas established an early lead and then headed into half-time ahead 4-2.

The Marlins surged home late behind a strong performance from Jackson Hayne, who scored four of his team’s six goals, supported by Jordan Dunn with two.

Despite a determined Marlins comeback, the Barracudas held firm to claim a hard-fought 7-6 victory, which was their third in four games.

Lachy Dunn produced a standout effort for the winning side that included four goals, while Ollie Ford bagged a double and William Hayne contributed the other.

The second game of the night delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season as the PAB Power drew 6-all with SierraTek Sea Snakes in the first senior match of the round.

The Power took a narrow 2-1 lead into half-time in the first-versus-last clash, with Paul Bushby and Andrew McManus finding early goals for the ladder leaders.

The Sea Snakes answered back through hard-earned goals from Nick Brennan, who finished with three, and contributions from Lachy Dunn, Todd Dunn and Jackson Hayne.

In the dying seconds of the game, with the Sea Snakes ahead 6-5 and just moments away from securing their first win of the season, PAB Power launched one final play as they battled to secure a point and remain undefeated. From eight metres out, their top scorer Bushby fired a long-range shot that hit the back of the net, completing his hat-trick and securing a thrilling 6-all draw.
Mc

Manus also added two goals for Power, while Karla Carruthers chipped in with one.

The draw was the two sides’ second against one another after they finished all square at 4-all back in round one.

The final match of the round produced another gripping finish, with the Nutrien Crocs holding off a determined Santos Sea Pigs outfit to win 9-8.

The Crocs jumped out to a 6-4 lead at the break, and they still led by two at three-quarter-time with the score at 7-5.

The Sea Pigs won the final quarter three goals to two but fell just short as they lost the match 9-8.

The Crocs were driven by a strong attacking display from Liam Donaldson and Logan Miller, who both scored hat-tricks for the winning side. Josiah Barnes added two goals for them and Shona McFarland slotted one to round out the Crocs’ tally.

Pip Donaldson led the way for the Sea Pigs with three goals, while Liam Mair added two and Matt McEvoy, Harry Lane, and Minnie Bragg all contributed a goal each, keeping the pressure on throughout the second half.

PAB Power are still undefeated and on top of the points table after four rounds. They have now accumulated six points following two wins and two draws across the opening month.

Just one win behind them on four points are second-placed Nutrien Crocs and third-placed Santos Sea Pigs, who have both won twice and lost twice.

SierraTek Sea Snakes are just one win behind them with two points following two draws and two losses.

Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club president Todd Dunn declared that round four showcased the best qualities of Narrabri water polo, with tight contests, growing skill levels, and exciting finishes that kept the crowd engaged from start to end.

Round five fixtures at Narrabri Aquatic Centre this Friday will see the under-15s match between Club Narrabri Marlins and Bellevue Barracudas kick off proceedings from 5.30pm, before the SierraTek Sea Snakes and Nutrien Crocs meet in the first senior match of the evening from 6.10pm, and the Santos Sea Pigs and PAB Power wrap up the night from 6.50pm.

The Dolphins are also excited to host their first home games against another club this Saturday when they welcome Tamworth Water Polo Club to Narrabri Aquatic Centre for a gala day.

The day will get underway with a junior skills session and will be followed by under-12s mixed, under-15s mixed, women’s and men’s matches between the two clubs.

Dunn told The Courier that the gala day would be a major milestone in the Narrabri club’s short history, and said it was a special way to thank the Tamworth club, which he said had been helpful in assisting the Narrabri Dolphins get up and running successfully.