Geraldton’s best hop into the pool in quest to reclaim water polo country week crowns.

While the B52s and Demons celebrate their respective water polo titles, the action does not stop for the top stars in the league as country week gets under way. The 2023 State Country Water Polo Championships run from March 3-5 as Geraldton look to reclaim the men’s and women’s titles after Karratha took the double last year. Peel will host the championships in Rockingham with Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton, and Karratha sending men’s and women’s sides while Hedland will supply just a men’s side. For Geraldton, a combined country week men’s side has been competing in the A grade division throughout the season giving them plenty of opportunity to gel ahead of the tournament. The B52s will supply the most players with eight, the Demons have five while the Rats have three. Geraldton Water Polo spokesperson Julia Gourley was confident in both sides’ ability to come away with the trophy this weekend. “We are definitely confident we’ve got some fantastic players including newbie Luke Neuwert who we’ve stolen from Karratha so he’s going to be a great addition to the squad,” she said. “Corey Smith is one of the best forwards in WA not to mention the lies of the Cross brothers or Leo Prout.” The women’s side is almost completely made of B52 players such has been their dominance this season but the competition was still fierce for spots. Gourley said one of the most pleasing aspects is the strength of youngsters coming through the system. “Hailee Horsman and Evie Prout have both represented at junior levels while Kobi Toomath is embarking on an umpiring pathway which is exciting,” she said. “Melissa Buscumb is going as our second goalie and with Isla Mulligan likely to continue her national journey next year will be exciting to see how she goes as she could potentially slot into the number one spot next year.” The men will play their first game against Hedland at 4:40 pm while the women will face Busselton first up at 6pm. Men’s Country Week Team Ben Vittino, Corey ‘Duck’ Smith, Darcy Wiffen, Drew Tunbridge, Flynn Scott, Jack Cocking, Jack Deschamp, Joel Cross, Kurt Tunbridge, Kye McVee, Lachy Toomath, Leo Prout, Luke Neuwert, Nick Pead, Zacc Cross Women’s Country Week Team Abbey Benham, Aimee Hagan, Ellie Pead, Emma Smith, Evie Prout, Hailee Horsman, Indi Smith, Isla Mulligan, Kobi Toomath, Maddie Pead, Melissa Buscumb, Sian McDonald, Tenielle Hawke