Super League Round 19 Preview

The Rams are slowly regaining their health status following last week?s gripping 4-3 win over Granville and face a Spirit side shocked by its 1-1 draw with lowly Mount Druitt. Macarthur can steal Spirit?s third position on the ladder and will be confident of a win after beating the league newcomers 3-2 at Christie Park earlier in the year.
Central Coast Lightning will be playing for their lives against Sydney University at Pluim Park on Saturday night (7.30pm). Central Coast are slowly becoming embroiled in the relegation scrap and would love some points to shoot them clear of any trouble. Uni, however, are on the top-five precipice and will take heart from the fact that they broke a four-game losing streak to the Lightning with a tight 2-1 victory at Uni Oval in round eight.
There will be no quarter given when Granville Rage welcome Bossy Liverpool to Garside Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm kickoff). With bottom side Fraser Park catching up to the rest of the field, every point will be fought tooth and nail for. Granville certainly enjoy an historical advantage over Liverpool, winning four and drawing three of their last seven Super League encounters (including a 1-0 win in round eight). In fact, Bossy haven?t beaten the Rage since a 2-0 victory in March 2005.
Competition frontrunners PCYC Parramatta Eagles won?t be taking bottom side Fraser Park lightly at Melita Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Fraser Park have won two on the trot and pushed Parramatta all the way before going down 3-2 in round eight. The Eagles were shock losers to Liverpool last week but enjoy a health record over Fraser Park: Parramatta have won four and drawn one of their five meetings in Super League.
It?s game on when Northern Tigers meet St George Saints at Mills Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Fifth-placed Northern are two points ahead of St George and Sydney Uni and can either sure up their position or relinquish it, depending on this weekend?s results. History suggests it will be a close affair with the teams sharing two wins each and three draws in seven Super League fixtures. However, the Saints haven?t beaten the Tigers since a 6-1 mauling in April 2007, five meetings ago.
Rockdale City Suns tackle Mount Druitt Town Rangers in what promises to be an exciting contest at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Rockdale will be keen to atone for last week?s shock loss to Sydney Uni, while strugglers Mount Druitt look to keep their names in Super League next year. The Suns hold onto a narrow edge, winning three league encounters to the Rangers two. But the main feature will be the goals, with both sides racking up 23 goals in their five meetings.
-By Daniel De Nardi