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A host of Olympic hopefuls are out to strengthen their London credentials at the National Water Polo League finals in Sydney this weekend.
A host of Olympic hopefuls will be out to strengthen their London selection credentials at the national water polo league finals starting in Sydney on Thursday.
In a final outing in Australia before heading overseas to contest the London test event and FINA World League preliminaries, 27 Olympic aspirants are among those battling to claim 2012 league titles for their clubs.
Among them are Australian men's captain Sam McGregor, triple Olympian Thomas Whalan and stepsisters Kate Gynther and Mel Rippon, both targeting a third Games.
Men's head coach John Fox on Wednesday announced a 14-strong squad to contest the World League preliminaries in China and Japan next month.
But he stressed Olympic selection was far from settled.
"These players selected are very much in contention for the final 13 at the Olympics and we are expecting great things from them in China and Japan," Fox said.
"In saying that, though, by no means are they guaranteed of their places.
"We're in a position where we've still got a squad of 18 and we need to narrow that down by six for the Olympics.
"So every game and tournament we play is a selection trial, including the national league finals that are being held in Sydney this week."
The domestic finals series begins on Thursday with the men's and women's finals to be contested on Sunday.
Gynther and Rippon's Brisbane Barracudas are the three-time defending champions in the women's event while Beijing Olympian Jamie Beadsworth will be hoping to lead the Fremantle Mariners to back-to-back titles.
Australian Sharks team named to contest FINA World League Preliminaries in China on May 3 and Japan on May 8:
Joel Dennerley (NSW), James Clark (NSW), Jamie Beadsworth (WA), Mitch Baird (NSW), Gavin Woods (NSW), Richie Campbell (NSW), Tim Cleland (WA), Anthony Martin (Qld), Johnno Cotterill (NSW), Rhys Howden (QLD), Billy Miller (Qld), Samuele Avallone (NSW), Sam McGregor (VIC) (capt), Thomas Whalan (NSW).
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