The Hurricanes won only one of their four Australian Water Polo League matches against the UWA Torpedoes and Fremantle Marlins, leaving them in a share of fifth spot with no regular rounds left.

Three weeks out from the top-six play-offs, Hunter now sit alongside the Torpedoes on 30 points but the Novocastrians have a slightly better goal difference.

Still within striking distance of the Hurricanes are the Sydney University Lions (25), Cronulla Sharks (18) and Drummoyne Devils (17), who all have four games to play during the next fortnight.

The Hunter side will be keeping a close eye on those upcoming results as they bid to make the semis for the first time.   

A second win over the weekend may have been enough to seal a spot for the Hurricanes, who twice went down to Fremantle and split fortunes with the University of Western Australia. 

Hunter lost 13-6 and 11-5 against Fremantle at Bicton Pool on Sunday and Friday respectively.  

In even contests at HBF Stadium Aquatic Facility, the Hurricanes were beaten 9-8 by the Torpedoes on Thursday but bounced back with a 14-13 victory on Saturday.   

In the men's competition, the finals-bound Hurricanes are in third position on the overall standings after posting two wins and two losses in back-to-back double headers across the country.  

Hunter were upstaged by Fremantle, 12-9 on Sunday and 22-11 on Friday. The visitors defeated the Torpedoes 21-10 on Saturday and 12-7 on Thursday. 

Daniel Lawrence scored six goals in the opening encounter.