The Stingers have farewelled four-time Olympan Bronwen Knox in style, their emphatic 14-7 defeat of the Netherlands securing fifth at the Tokyo Games.

Knox, in her final Olympic campaign, scored twice as the Australian women's water polo side bounced out to a 5-1 lead at the first break.

It was 8-2 after another clinical quarter as the second half almost became a ceremony for Knox, who became the first Australian woman to feature in four water polo Games campaigns.

Keesja Gofers scored from her first three shots, somehow finding the back corner with a perfect lob to open her account as the Stingers balanced power and precision.

They were terrific at the other end too, Gabriella Palm impressive in goal and helped by smothering defence as they cast aside the disappointment of a 9-8 quarter-final loss to Russia that knocked them out of the medal hunt.

The Stingers hadn't played an international fixture in 16 months before their Games campaign due to COVID, with players taking more than two years away from their other professions to commit fully to the campaign.

"I was really happy with how I played this week ... I was as fit as I've ever been," Knox said.

"I played with heart, left everything in the water and that's all I can do.

"It's not the result we wanted, but there's nothing more I could have given.

"I'd love to still be there, but unfortunately there are other things you need to do in life and sometimes you can't do both."

Knox, 35, has two bronze medals from previous Games tilts to go with degrees in science, health and law, which she plans to use to make an impact on the integrity and equality of sport.

"It's time for me to let the youngsters come in and find their spot," she said.

"Ive given 17 years to the program, it's time to find other things that I'm passionate about and make a difference in this world.

"I'd love to keep playing, but I just think it's unreasonable of me to ask for more - and I get to finish on my terms.

"I've done everything I could, I'm really proud of everything I achieved and to leave on your own terms, not many people get to do that."