TeleChoice Championship Series Round 1

The Reds finished Premiership winners, hence avoiding the first weekend of TeleChoice Championship Series engagements.
The Reds opponents will surface from the Sunday (August 23) encounter between Marconi Stallions and Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium; the winner of the tie setting up Major semi-final showdown with Ante Milicic?s men.
The Stallions enter the match on a high following their dramatic late showing in the final Round defeat of Sydney Olympic. Lee Sterrey?s side has struggled to recapture the wonderful form of the earlier past of the season, though the exploits of Ali Al-Hilfi and youngster Tim McGowan have certainly been noted.
Sutherland Sharks, without a doubt, possess the momentum heading into this fixture after claiming the 2009 TigerTurf Cup last weekend. Coach Robbie Stanton will again base much of his expectation on the midfield, led by Nick Stavroulakis and Neil Jablonski. Most importantly at this late part of the season will be the influence of captain George Souris who has played some fine football to help the side out of their mid-season slump.
Prior to the Marconi Stadium clash ? on Saturday evening at Jensen Park ? Bankstown City and Manly United FC go for broke in an Elimination semi-final.
Bankstown City were cruising two Rounds out from the conclusion of the regular season, though consecutive defeats at the hands of Manly United FC and Blacktown City Demons saw the side lose hope of ?pipping? Sydney United for top-spot, and even lose out on a top-three finish. Peter Tsekenis will need to return back to basics, and utilise the home ground advantage in his side?s favour for this clash against a confident Manly United FC.
The Cromer Park side seems to have overcome their difficult run of form over the closing stages of the regular season, despite losing the TigerTurf Cup Final against Sutherland Sharks last weekend. Phil Moss will be without Robbie Cattanach after the striker broke his leg in a training incident recently. Most expectation will fall onto Joey Schirripa?s shoulders; with the likes of Matthew Bingley and Spencer Prior very good values to assist the side?s defensive third.
The loser of this clash will bow out of the TeleChoice Championship Series.  

-By Joseph Carlucci