Geraldton Water Polo Association: Demons look to knock B52’s off their perch in jam-packed grand final day

It is grand final time for the Geraldton Water Polo Association, with a full day of championship action set for Saturday at the Aquarena as Demons and B52’s headline the day’s fixture. After dominating semifinals, Demons will feature in all but one match on Saturday’s program and will be full of confidence, particularly in the premier A-grade contests against reigning champions B52’s. In men’s A-grade, Demons arrive in strong form after a comprehensive semifinal win over Rats, led by a nine-goal haul from league fairest and best winner Zacc Cross. With Cross supported by brother Joel and proven scorers Ted Kerr and Angus Macdonald, Demons will look to apply scoreboard pressure from the opening sprint. Drew Macgregor remains one of the State’s finest goal keepers and could prove decisive if Demons can build momentum. B52’s finished the regular season as minor premiers for good reason and will not be easily unseated. League top scorer Callum Sojan headlines a dangerous attacking group that includes Corey Smith and Kurt Tunbridge, with talented youngsters Leo Prout and Ben Naisbitt adding depth and speed. Expect a tight, physical contest, but B52’s’ polish and balance may just get them home. The women’s A-grade grand final promises to be just as compelling, with Demons also coming off a commanding semifinal victory over Serpents and hitting form at exactly the right time. B52’s once again loom as the benchmark after another strong campaign as reigning champions. The ladder could barely split the two sides across the season and this one looks destined to go down to the wire. Tenielle Hawke and Emma Smith bring serious firepower for B52’s and have been in excellent touch in recent rounds. They are well supported by Evie Prout, Keshi McGagh and Aimee Hagan, all capable of turning a game in minutes. Demons counter with Billie Marshall scoring freely, backed by Olivia Higgs, veteran Abbie McDonald and young Sian Macdonald. The key battle may be in the pool between the posts, with Mel Bennett for Demons and Casey McGagh for B52’s both producing outstanding performances throughout the season. If it comes down to nerve and defence, Demons may just have the edge. The call here is Demons to knock the champions off their throne. Over in men’s B-grade, Demons and B52’s will clash again, with several players backing up across grades in both sides. B52’s have the upper hand as minor premiers, but Demons will aim to test them early. Minor premiers Serpents will play Rats in the women’s B-grade decider. The teams were closely matched all season, with Serpents finding the edge when it mattered most. Expect an end-to-end contest with plenty of goals. Demons versus B52’s meet again in the men’s C-grade grand final. Demons were never far behind ladder leaders B52’s — the contest could swing either way, with genuine scorers on each roster. The women’s C-grade grand final opens the day’s senior showdowns, with Serpents Green taking on Demons Yellow. Both sides are evenly matched after pulling clear of the rest of the competition all season.