Super League Round 2 Preview
Fraser Park and Central Coast, two teams who struggled for most of last year, were the only two to take maximum points last weekend. It would be a welcome change for the supporters of both clubs who will be keen to see the wins continue.
Leaders Central Coast welcome West Sydney Berries to Pluim Park, on Saturday (6pm). They certainly got amongst the goals last Sunday, scoring four but conceding three in a seven goal thriller. It was a fine start for the Coast who were slow off the mark last season but the win already will give them the impetus early on. One senses that the Berries will have to be at the top of their game to take something away from Lisarow. Their performance last Saturday was less than expected and one which didn?t please Steve Karavatakis. He will certainly be looking for improvement this weekend.
Fraser Park travel the short distance down the highway to Barton Park when they take on St George on Saturday evening. Fraser Park took all the honours against Blacktown Spartans last weekend while the Saints would be ruing their missed chances against the Berries, when the three points were there for the taking. This will be an interesting one, the close season signings by Fraser Park adding some strength to their squad. The Saints has won this fixture relatively easily on the past two occasions, each one kicking off the season, but will need to be wary against a stronger Fraser Park this time.
Spirit FC are at home again as they meet Hills Brumbies. Spirit were kept goalless last week but have the strike power that suggests there won?t be too many games when this will happen. Hills did extremely well to take a point of Northern Tigers, when down to ten, but there will need to be a reshuffle in defence following Nemanja Tomic?s red card last Sunday. Their 90th minute equaliser against the Tigers serves notice on Spirit that the Brumbies will go fighting to the end.
Francis Park in Blacktown sees Super League action in Saturday?s fourth game when the Spartans take on Dulwich Hill. Paul Carter?s side did well against the Spirit and can take heart that not many sides will take points away from Christie Park. They will be seeking a win though against the Spartans who went down narrowly to Fraser Park. A close game this one, one from which the Spartans will need something so as not to be chasing points too early.
Northern Tigers and Macarthur Rams clash at Mills Park on Sunday. Both sides would be disappointed they didn?t get off to a winning start especially the Tigers who conceded that equaliser very late. They have made a late addition to their squad with the signing of Daniel Clifford, with the Berries last season, while Luke Tomich has called it a day after an early season injury made the decision for him. Both of these sides should certainly be pushing for a finals spot, at the very least, and won?t want to drop further points.
The final game of the weekend is Granville Rage versus Sydney University. Garside Park is not the easiest of places to get the points and the Rage fared well in coming away from the Rams with a draw. This will be a difficult one for Uni who will need to shore up their defence after conceding four last weekend. The suspension of James O?Rourke, following his send off last round, won?t help though.
It all points to another interesting round of fixtures, in a very competitive league.
-By Peter Rowney
