Super League Round 15 Preview

Expect fireworks as Parramatta tries to wrestle back top spot from Rockdale and co, while Northern look to demonstrate that they?re as much a contender as any of the big teams. The Tigers will have to create history though and win their first league match against the Eagles in five tries, although they did come close in a 1-2 round-four loss at Mills Park.

Central Coast Lightning take on Granville Rage in a match of importance at Garside Park on Saturday night (7.30pm). Both teams need points to keep pace with the leaders, and it will be interesting who rises to the occasion as Central Coast and Granville boast the competition?s two lowest goalscoring yields (16 and 11 goals respectively). Quite incredibly, in seven league encounters the Lightning and Rage have been separated by more than one goal on just one occasion. They share three wins and a draw apiece.
Spirit FC host cellar-dwellers Fraser Park in a big match at fortress Christie Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm kickoff). Second-placed Spirit have not been beaten at home this year and face a Fraser Park side that has claimed just one point on the road all season. But desperate times call for desperate measures and a new-look Fraser Park outfit may create headaches for the league newcomers, as they did in a tight 1-1 draw in round four.
Mount Druitt Town Rangers welcome St George Saints to Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) with different aims in mind. St George could find themselves in the top-five should results fall their way this weekend, while Mount Druitt would use the points to get away from the dreaded relegation quagmire and maybe even as a catalyst to push higher up the ladder behind their catch-up games. The Rangers have won three league meetings to the Saints? one, with a 2-2 draw in round four earlier this year.
Ladder leaders Rockdale City Suns entertain Bossy Liverpool at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in what should be a battle royale. It?s Mile Todorovski?s high achievers at Rockdale versus his old club and defending champions Liverpool who, with their tails up, are storming home in the second half of the season. The Suns have won three league fixtures against Bossy, who won both meetings in their championship winning year. Strangely, Rockdale have not beaten Liverpool at Ilinden.
Sydney University meet top-three side Macarthur Rams at Uni Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Rams coach Paul Carter laid down the law to his troops last week and it immediately paid dividends. Whether they can carry on with their spirit will be tested against a Uni side renowned for their late season surges. It will be tight: Uni have won four and the Rams three of their nine league matches against each other. Macarthur cannot underestimate their opponents who have beaten them the last two times.
-By Daniel De Nardi