Penalty shootout thriller as PAB Power reigns supreme

The Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club well and truly saved its best until last on Saturday as PAB Power reigned supreme in the 2025/26 season senior competition gold medal match.

The minor premiers had only lost one game all year going into the decider against the SierraTek Sea Snakes at Narrabri Aquatic Centre, and they were forced to work harder than ever for the win as the two sides went to a penalty shootout after they were tied at 3-all at full-time.

A heroic Stewart Todd save saw them prevail 3-2 in that shootout to win the title and complete a sweet minor and major premiership double.

The Power had gained the early ascendancy in that contest after Karla Carruthers scored the only first-quarter goal before Jedd Stanford put two more on the board to make the half-time score 3-0.

Neither side was able to add to the score in the third quarter as their defences stood tall, and it was the Power’s game to lose heading into the fourth quarter.

SierraTek sent Nick Brennan up front in that final term and his instructions were simple – do not come back to defend.

Those tactics paid off as he found the back of the net three times to lock the score up at 3-all.

Neither side could find a late winner, and a penalty shootout was required to split them.

The Power were ahead 3-2 in that shootout when Todd Dunn lined up the Sea Snakes’ fifth and final shot. Stewart Todd was between the sticks for the Power and he managed to make the premiership-winning save to deny Dunn and secure the title for his team.

Dunn, who is the Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club’s president, told The Courier that the gold medal match was an enjoyable one to be a part of.

“It was a really good game,” Dunn said.

“It was really intense and it was played in the right spirits.

“It was a great game to be a part of and a good way to finish the season.”

Dunn said he thought the entire day, which kicked off with the Flippaball action and also included a senior bronze medal match and the junior competition grand final, was the perfect way top wrap up an entertaining season.

“It was a really good day. Everything went really well, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day,” Todd said.

“The games were all unreal.”

“It was a really successful season,” he added.

“The key takeaway would be the development of our juniors.

“A lot of the juniors have decided to play up in the seniors as well this season.

“There were even five under-15s players in the senior grand final game, and they all did really well.

“We started the day off with Flippaball, which are our under-12s, but most of them are 10 and under.

“The kids who weren’t strong swimmers back at the start of the season are now getting the ball and swimming away from players with the ball in front of them.

“The passing has improved too. They’re getting really good at moving the ball around between themselves and setting up goals.

“Their development has been huge.

“The junior grand final, the under-15s, their grand final was great to watch.

“They all did really well. The passing and skill level on show across the board in that game was great.”

It was the Club Narrabri Martins that prevailed in the junior decider as a Max Booby hat-trick in the fourth quarter secured him the player of the final honour and his team an 8-4 victory.

It was the Bellevue Barracudas that led at the first break after Lucy Booby bagged a double in the opening quarter and Elsie Bennett netted once for the Marlins.

Max Booby and Harrison Dunn then scored a goal each for the Marlins in the second quarter and their side held the Barracudas scoreless to take a 3-2 lead into half-time.

The Marlins had edged further in front at the final break after Elsie Bennett and Jordan Dunn netted a goal each for their side in the third term, while Will Hayne’s lone goal for the Barracudas made it 5-3.

Joe Wilkins did manage to score a goal for the Barracudas in the final term, but Max Booby’s hat-trick saw him finish the match with four goals and saw his side run away with an 8-4 win.

The senior bronze medal match was then won by the Nutrien Crocs, who defeated Santos Sea Pigs 6-2 to secure third place.

The Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club held its 2025/26 season awards presentation event at the Narrabri RSL Club after the senior grand final.

Award winners were as follows:

MVP PAB Power – Paul Bushby.

MVP SierraTek Sea Snakes – Nick Brennan.

MVP Nutrien Crocs – Keeley Glass.

MVP Santos Sea Pigs – Pip Donaldson.

MVP junior girl – Lucy Booby.

MVP junior boy – Ollie Ford.

Top goal-scorer men – Paul Bushby.

Top goal-scorer Womens – Karla Carruthers.

Top goal-scorer Junior Boys – Max Booby.

Top goal-scorer Junior Girl – Lucy Booby.

Grand final MVP junior – Max Booby.

Grand final MVP senior – Stewart Todd.