VIC TIGERS WOMEN LIFT FOR SLICE OF WATER POLO HISTORY

WATER POLO, May 7: The Victorian Tigers women's team has produced one of the most extraordinary form reversals in the most extraordinary circumstances to win the club's first ever medal at the Purnell Trophies and Giftware National League Water Polo finals in Sydney.

The Tigers, left battered and bruised after a 15-3 flogging from premiers Brisbane Barracudas in yesterday's second semi-final, dug deeper than ever in a memorable 10-6 win over the Fremantle Mariners in today's bronze medal play-off.

Victory came after head coach Dalibor Maslan was forced to make a mercy dash to his wife's bedside in Melbourne early this morning after she was rushed to hospital with a heart scare last night.

After been locked in conference until 2am this morning with team manager Scott Gargoura, the pair were up again at 4.30am to get Maslan to the airport for a 6am flight to Melbourne.

"It was hardly the best preparation for a major medal game, that's for sure but with all the chips down the girls showed amazing spirit and determination to rise to the occasion, we couldn't be prouder," said Gargoura.

"And most importantly we were able to tell the girls that Dalibor's wife was in a stable condition.

"With their team sound asleep, Dalibor and I went through videos and put a plan together to try and turn things around with the key to keep business as usual."

Gargoura then revealed the plans that saw the spirited Tigers play the game of their lives just 24 hours after they were left in tatters at the hands of defending champions Brisbane Barracudas in their lop-sided semi-final - arguably their worst ever display.

But pressure in big time sport can also bring out the best in people and the Vic Tigers girls ticked that box.

First they had to find a replacement coach for Maslan and they were forced to recruit former Victorian Men's team player and part-time coach Andy Isaac from the Australian Water Polo TV commentary team and on to the pool deck.

Then it was a meeting with senior players, Australian Water Polo's player-of-the-year Victoria Brown and veteran international field player Larissa Webster with Isaac,  before a full team meeting.

The Tigers girls knew they had to play as a team and make the most of their opportunities - especially their six-on-five power plays - and start with enthusiasm and purpose, if they were to turn things around.

Brown, one of the best goalies in world water polo is still recovering from the effects of a broken leg., which has only seen her back in the pool late in the season and only with limited game time.

She was rested from the second-half of the Barracudas game following the first half blow out yesterday and it was a telling tactic from Maslan with Brown having a spectacular game between the goals to inspire the team's victory.

The battle for bronze see-sawed through the first half with the game going goal-for-goal and locked at 2-all; 3-all, 5-all and 6-all well into the third quarter.

The turn around came with a five metre penalty to Australian representative Rowie Webster who locked the scores at 6-all and it signalled a spirited period for the Tigers with sister Larissa, Madison Morrison and Emmajo Grahame in the thick of the action.

Two quick goals in succession and a telling goal from Larissa Webster put the result  beyond doubt and the Tigers continued to dominate the final quarter to run out winners by four goals.

There were wild celebrations from the Tigers camp with the Richmond Tigers AFL theme song blaring loudly through the SOPAC speakers.

Stand-in coach Isaac and manager Gargoura were both swamped by their team and were dunked in traditional water polo fashion, tossed into the pool, with their team celebrating an extraordinary chapter in the Vic Tigers Water Polo history.

"It was as good as gold, that's for sure," said Gargoura as he dried himself poolside.

"The girls were the heroes, they did it for Dalibor and we have to give out a huge thanks to our stand-in coach Andy Isaac for coming in at the last minute.

"Everyone lifted; we forgot about the Barracudas loss and picked ourselves up. We knew we were a much better team than the one we saw yesterday."

It was also a special day for Maddy Morrison whose mother Lyn was introduced the crowd at the SOPAC as a member of the victorious Australian women's team that won gold against Holland in the first ever Women's Water Polo World Championship in Madrid.

A big day all-round for the Tigers who will cherish and celebrate long into the night. IAN HANSON.

VICTORIA TIGERS 10 (R Webster 4, E Grahame 2, L Webster, M Morrison, E Rossatto, G Venosta goals) d FREMANTLE MARINERS 6 (Z Arancini 3, K Finucane, R Flint, C Read goals).

VICTORIA TIGERS TEAM: Rowie Webster, Emmajo Grahame, Larissa Webster, Madison Morrison, Elise Rossatto, Genevieve Venosta, Victoria Brown, Jade Hanson, Charlotte Banks, All Van Omen, Amber Grahame, Stephanie Canalizes, Suzanne Hurst.