NSW Super League Round 13 Preview

Some intriguing matches, yet again – well worth a visit to a ground or two this weekend.

Saturday Matches

Match fitness may be a factor when title contenders Granville Rage take on Central Coast Lightning at their home of Garside Park (Onslow Street, Granville). Granville Rage were too good for Central Coast in round 2, easily accounting for the Lightning in a dominant 3-1 win. The Coast might be the better though (in both their legs and confidence) following their win over Sydney Uni two weeks ago; whilst Rage has been badly affected by washouts and has not had a win since round 9. Nevertheless Lightning’s defence will need to be at their best against the trio of Nenos Bobo, Kris Holbrook, and Pat Cappuccio. Their own threat can however come from across the park.

Another chance to christen the revamped Hensley Field (Denison St/Corish Cir, Eastgardens) for Sydney University as they host Dulwich Hill.  The visitors got game time last week and a valuable point away at Mills Park. Tony Faria, Jay Lucas, and Michael Lloyd-Green present a threat to the ‘students’ hopes of re-kindling their play-off aspirations. Sydney Uni though should be confident with Christian Soares sitting near the top of the goal-scorers chart and with the ‘wood’ on Dulwich Hill after the 2-0 win away in round 2.

Macarthur Rams under coach Claudio Canosa are on a roll and it is hard to see what ‘irons’ lowly Fraser Park can ‘pull out of the fire’ when they visit chilly Lynwood Park (Rangers Road, St Helens Park) on Saturday evening. Two good wins in sucession under their belt and and rising fitness levels from training three times a week should see the Rams outlast any challenge from Fraser Park. The visitors best chance may be to ‘park the bus’ and add a draw to their meagre points tally – but the leadership of experienced player/coach Ante Juric off the field will be crucial as he is out suspended. Fraser Park will have to remember that they have to back up next Tuesday night for their round 11 game.

St George Saints are another side that need to get back to their early season winning ways but that may hit a bump with leaders Parramatta Eagles coming to St George Stadium ( Bestic Street, Rockdale)with firm intentions of not giving anyone a chance to catch them. Saints could only hold on for 38mins last time they met and will need to do better; and get Juan Chavez, Christian Cevenini, or Ivo De Jesus firing. The Eagles threat could come from anywhere.

All these games are due to commence at 7:30pm (Grade 20 at 5pm)

Sunday Matches

On Sunday afternoon FC Bossy Liverpool host Spirit FC at Ernie Smith Reserve ( Kelso Crescent, Moorebank). Bossy surprised some, but not themselves, with a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Spirit FC in round 2. That game was a no-holds barred affair and fans should expect lost of passion in this game as well. Spirit will be wounded after losing so easily to the Rams last Sunday but will have had the McDonalds Cup quarter-final against South Coast Wolves this week to work on that.

Northern Tigers have the advantage of game-time last Sunday and staying at home again when  Mt Druitt Town Rangers come to the ‘bush'(Mills Park, Asquith), but will be concerned that they couldn’t score last week.  Michael Simmonds and Paul Davies did the damage last time these sides met and they will again be a threat to Mt Druitt. The visitors are still quite capable of causing Tigers some grief it their wide play comes to the fore and Eddie Georges and their midfielders get on the end of crosses.  You can be sure that Tigers coach Jason Eager will have done his homework. Rangers will have to remember that they have to back up next Tuesday night for their round 11 game.

These games are due to commence at 3pm (Grade 20 at 1pm)

– By Chris Dunkerley