12&U Mixed - Report by Hayden Woods

The Essendon / DVE U12s played a strong Geelong / NYP team in a tough fought match which proved that Geelong’s status as a nemesis team extends all the way from the senior men to our most junior team. The team fought hard all game but weren’t quite able to hold onto the lead in the 2nd half.

Essendon/DVE Aquatic were defeated by the Marlins/NYP Dragons : 5 - 9 Goals : TBC

14&U Boys (Editor)

This week our combined side of Footscray/Essendon/Monash/Northocte had a scheduled bye. With no games fixtured for the long weekend, they'll have to wait another week for some match action, up against Richmond Yellow.

14&U Girls - Report by Manuel De Rivero

The U14 girls are coming together brilliantly as a team with DVE, and it’s really showing in the pool. Their communication is strong, they’re covering each other’s positions seamlessly, and their cohesion is making a real difference to their performance.

On Sunday they came up against Geelong-Ballarat and Maddie was quick and sharp in attack as always, and she also stepped up impressively in goal during the second half. Anja was solid in defence, confidently driving the team forward and delivering a couple of well-timed strategic passes that led directly to goals. The opposition’s frustration was clear as they repeatedly struggled to break through the DVE–Essendon defensive line.

The final score was 9–2, although that margin doesn’t fully reflect Essendon-DVE’s dominance, with several missed opportunities and shots hitting the post. The next few weeks will see how the finals play out in the U14 girls comp which will be exciting to watch! 

DVE Aquatic(Essendon) defeated the Marlins/Ballarat : 9 - 2

Youth Boys (Jack Vs Timo) - Report by Ilona Elmore

After a tough Geelong tournament that really didn't go their way,  the boys rolled straight into another B Grade Summer Splash on Wednesday night. When you simply can’t match size and physicality in the pool, it can be deflating. There were probably a few quiet car rides home wondering why extra pool time felt like such a good idea. They did manage to put a couple on the board - small wins in a tough night -but it was another reminder of the level required. Fast forward a few training sessions and Sunday morning back in the pool for the youth summer season. 

Up against Northcote Water Polo Club,a strong club we’ve had great battles with (and beaten before),  we likely went in expecting a win, but what we saw was something more.

There was a clear shift in the group. A determination. A fierceness.

From the opening whistle they came out firing - driving the ball hard up the pool, backing themselves in one-on-one contests, and finishing their shots like it was a walk in the park. The confidence was evident. The intent was relentless : 7-0 at quarter time.

To their credit, Northcote regrouped and tightened up defensively in the second half, making the boys work far harder for their opportunities. It became more of a contest, as good teams respond. DVE even mixed things up in the final quarter, pushing the goalie into the field to change the dynamic and keep the pressure on : 16-2.

But beyond the scoreboard, it was the first half that stood out. If this team can produce four quarters with that same intensity, speed and clinical execution, thats good polo. With one more game and a bye over the next couple of weeks, finals are locked in. After the lessons of Geelong and the grind of Summer Splash, the growth is clear.

Finals water polo is coming - and it’s going to be exciting.

DVE Aquatic(Essendon) defeated Northcote (Essendon) : 16 - 2

Youth Girls - Report by Sandra Mink-Grobbe

It was an early start for the girls on Sunday; having 2 games with the first one starting at 8am! With numbers dropping last minute late Saturday, we still managed a bench of 2, but facing both Richmond teams, it would be a hard task. Richmond is strong at the best of times and without a full bench and super goalie, our changes of a win were next to none.

GAME 1 : Our first game saw us grow into the game after half time with some great set ups, but the damage was already done. It did give some spirit to build on those set ups and tight defence for the next game.

Essendon/Marlins were defeated by Richmond Black : 1-18 Goals : Katie 1

GAME 2 : In this game we faced the stronger Yellow’s, but were keen to improve. The girls proved to themselves that with some will power, they can actually keep up most of the time. Even though the damage was done early, it is only fair to say that despite the score line, they were really close! Unfortunately, a lot of shots were either stopped or missed, however, the girls managed to get heaps of shots away. This is a massive improvement as previously; shots were hard to come by. The hard work paid off somewhat with great teamwork – swimming, covering, set up and goalie switches to fill that gap. The girls should be very proud of their efforts and build on this momentum. They might surprise their next opponents in 3 weeks’ time and get that well deserved win on the board before the season ends!

Essendon/Marlins were defeated by Richmond Yellow : 5-18 Goals : Arly 1, Madeleine 1, Alice 1, Lola 1

Junior Men

DVE Aquatic(Essendon) were defeated by MC Gold : 6 - 9