Water polo takes centre stage
George Ford knows the difference a parochial crowd can make.
He's keen to see it work for the Aussie Sharks when they take on the US in the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series at HBF Stadium tomorrow.
The 21-year-old water polo star is playing his first official international match at home.
"This is the first big game in front of the crowd so it's very exciting for me," Ford said.
"Mum and dad have got tickets. I don't think they've seen me play for Australia in Australia so that will be great.
"I've played against teams with their own home crowds and it's always tough.
"They're always that little bit more pumped up so hopefully we get that boost."
Ford was watching from the stands last year and said it was a huge benefit for the team to get together and play strong competition so early in the year.
The West Australian centre-back said he was not perturbed whether he had cemented his place in the team.
"We're very centred on being a team and not focusing on the individual," he said. "The last six months we've really been working on a strong team culture that can see us improve and get us to be a great team, a powerhouse in water polo for years to come."
Before the men face off, the Aussie Stingers will play China tonight. The match will be centre-forward Holly Lincoln-Smith's first international since having shoulder surgery after the 2013 world championships.
Sydney's Lincoln-Smith won a bronze medal at the London Olympics and is determined to make it gold in Rio next year.
"The surgeon said I had a 60 per cent chance of getting back," Lincoln-Smith said.
"I would never let my shoulder stop me from achieving my goal.
"If anything it was just another obstacle for me."
WA's Gemma Beadsworth and Zoe Arancini will also boost the Stingers for the clash with China, joining fellow locals Eliesha Browne and Glencora McGhie in the team.
