NSW Super League Round 3 Preview

A reversal in venue from the original draw sees Central Coast meet the travelling Fraser Park at Pluim Park. The Coast will fancy their chances in this one as a win here will see them consolidate their high flying position. A couple of astute signings have strengthened the Coast and the recruits have certainly added to the squad?s performance. They have no trouble in scoring goals, six so far across the two games, five of those to Grant Maundrell, but they have also conceded a handful, something Peter Preston will no doubt attempt to resolve.
They may find it tougher to score this week, against a Fraser Park side who themselves have strengthened. Mirza Sehic was one of their later signings and with the former FC Bossy defender squared with Clive Delany at the back, Central Coast will need Maundrell to continue his excellent form.
West Sydney Berries will be seeking their first win of the season when Granville Rage visit.  The Berries have had two draws to date, and will really need the three points here. The Rage were one of many to have their game postponed last weekend and will welcome the return to the park. They started well with the away draw at the Rams so anything is possible here.
Sydney University should have no trouble in ensuring that their fixture takes place, rain or not. The new synthetic pitch at Hensley Field will be in tip top condition for the encounter with Northern Tigers. Both missed out on playing last weekend and while the Tigers will be looking for the win, Uni won?t want to suffer two losses to start the season. 
Dulwich Hill and St George meet at Arlington Oval. Both sides kicked off their season with a draw, impressive results for both teams. Dully, particularly, may be happy with their point away at Spirit FC, especially considering the second half hiding Spirit dealt out to the Brumbies last weekend. The Saints looked the goods at Lidcombe Oval against the Berries, and will be hoping to grab the three points this time. The two sides met in a pre-season friendly which finished 0-0 and so will be wary of each other.
The two games on Sunday see Spirit FC at home for the third week in a row when they take on Blacktown Spartans at Christie Park while Hills Brumbies meet Macarthur Rams at Lily Homes Stadium.
Spirit took no prisoners last Saturday night and the form they showed augers well for their season. Six different players got on the scoresheet while Juan Chavez notched his first of the season, a double. He was replaced with twenty minutes to go against the Brumbies after picking up a knock, but is expected to play. The Spartans will need to be watchful across the pitch, not least keeping an eye on the pacy Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, who caused havoc last weekend.
The Hills will have to regather. They will welcome back defender Nemanja Tomic, suspended last match, to bolster their backline. Harsh lessons were learnt against the Spirit, perhaps their good result against the Tigers the week before, being on their mind. Ten goals conceded in two games though, show where they will need to place their emphasis in the upcoming weeks.
-By Peter Rowney