Super League Round 18 Preview

Co-leaders Bonnyrigg and PCYC Parramatta, and third-placed Liverpool are still in the running for the minor premiership, with every team still in with a mathematical shot at making the post-season competition.
Last-placed Fairfield City Lions have it all ahead of them to avoid relegation, starting with a testing run against Central Coast Lightning at Norford Park on Saturday night (7.30pm kick-off). The Coast have come alive of late and lay a solitary point outside the top-five. Fairfield are bottom of the ladder, five points behind their Uni and Mount Druitt, and have beaten the Lightning just once in four Super League meetings.
Sunday afternoon comes alive with PCYC Parramatta Eagles playing Northern Tigers at Melita Stadium (3pm kick-off). PCYC Parramatta are looking to better co-leaders Bonnyrigg, who have a game in hand, while Northern continue their search for some consistency. A win to the Tigers will keep them in the top-five hunt, but they are yet to beat the Eagles in Super League football.
Rockdale City Suns tackle competition frontrunners Bonnyrigg White Eagles at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Rockdale need to win to stay in touch with the top-five, while Bonnyrigg can consolidate top spot with a good result this weekend. The White Eagles will enjoy the fact they have conceded just one goal to the Suns in four Super League victories over Rockdale.
Top-three side Bossy Liverpool travels to Sydney University for a crucial match at the Oval (3pm) on Sunday afternoon. Sitting three points behind the leaders, Liverpool can stick their noses in the minor premiership trough with a solid performance against second-from-the-bottom Uni, who are playing for their Super League place. Both teams tasted victory last week, Bossy thrashing the Rangers 5-0, while Uni pipped the Tigers 1-0.
Mount Druitt Town Rangers welcome Granville Rage to Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). After a solid start to the season, Mount Druitt has struggled of late to be dragged into a relegation scrap with Fairfield City and Uni. Granville has also been out of form and will look to cement a top-five spot this weekend. The two sides fought out a 0-0 draw in round seven, but with so much more on the line, a scoreless draw would not suit either team.
St George Saints visit Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in another key match of the round. Both losers last weekend, Fraser Park are hanging grimly onto fifth spot, from Central Coast, Rockdale, Northern and St George, who can throw the last playoff berth wide open with a win on Sunday. The two sides share two wins each and a draw in their Super League history, meaning anyone can win on their day.
-By Daniel De Nardi