Super League Round 19 Preview

Bonnyrigg, Parramatta and Liverpool are embroiled in a minor premiership race at the top of the table, while promising results to Uni and Fairfield of late have roped Mount Druitt and Northern Tigers into the relegation battle. In between, Granville, Fraser Park, Central Coast, St George and Rockdale look the most likely to take up the remaining two playoff spots.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles meet Mount Druitt Town Rangers in an important match at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Saturday night (7.30pm kick-off). With Mount Druitt now fighting to stay in Super League, the pressure is on Bonnyrigg to keep focus and maintain their lead at the top of the ladder. The fact the Rangers only fell 1-0 to the White Eagles earlier in the year shows they are more than capable of matching it with the big guns.
Finals hopefuls St George Saints host cellar-dwellers Fairfield City Lions at Belmore Sportsground on Saturday night (7.30pm). St George need points desperately to stay in the playoff race and could only manage a 2-2 draw with Fairfield the last time they met. However, the Lions are starting to put together some good games of football, and will be keen to leave the competition basement with a strong result away from home.
Central Coast Lightning play Rockdale City Suns in an interesting match-up at Pluim Park on Saturday night (7.30pm). Both sides have mathematical chances of making the post-season and will be keen to knock each other out of season 2008 altogether. A 1-0 win to Central Coast at Ilinden in round eight was the Lightning?s first over the Suns, but Rockdale have plenty of experience in their ranks to overturn that result.
On Sunday afternoon, top-five sides Bossy Liverpool tackle Granville Rage at Ernie Smith Reserve (3pm kick-off). In third place and with a couple of catch-up games in their pocket, Liverpool can keep the pressure on co-leaders Bonnyrigg and Parramatta with a good result against fourth-placed Granville this weekend. The Rage beat Bossy 1-0 in round eight to continue their unbeaten run against Liverpool in Super League clashes.
Fraser Park tackle Northern Tigers in a clutch match at Mills Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Fifth-placed Fraser Park are currently holding off a multi-team challenge for their playoff spot, and will be keen to emulate their 1-0 success over Northern in round eight. By their own standards, the Tigers have been dreadful this year and will want to kickstart a late dash to the finals via a positive result this weekend.
PCYC Parramatta Eagles visit Sydney University on Sunday afternoon (3pm) with wind in their wings. The Eagles ? equal first with Bonnyrigg ? have been steadily building momentum towards the finals and can continue their run with a good showing against a Uni outfit struggling to keep their place in Super League. Parramatta smacked Uni 4-0 in round eight but will find the going tougher with Uni?s backs to the wall.
-By Daniel De Nardi