The Super League finals series continues this weekend with two games which have the promise of being absolute crackers.
The first semi final pits St George against Macarthur Rams at St George Stadium on Saturday evening (7pm).
This is a do-or-die game now with the loser being eliminated and their season coming to a close. Neither club will be keen on that prospect so we can expect a battle to the end in this one.
Macarthur Rams were taken right down to the wire by Granville Rage last Saturday and will be doing well to recover from those exertions, after over two hours of tough physical football. They will have a full squad available with the return from injury of Matt Sadler, and the usual frontline of Shannon Hankin and Chris Gomez will be to the fore. The Rams have had a difficult time lately, coincidentally following their game against Sydney FC, and took only two points from their final four league games.
Taking into account their win on penalties over the Rage last weekend, it is five games now since the Rams tasted victory over ninety minutes, not a good lead in to the finals series.
St George, while having the better of the Rams in both matches this season, winning 3-2 at Lynwood Park and 2-1 at home, will need to cover for their suspended captain, Simon Verrender, sent off last week against West Sydney Berries. Despite that loss, the Saints’ performed very admirably against the Berries, with depleted numbers, and should be confident of another fighting display this Saturday.
The victor will take on the loser of the second semi final which has Premiers Blacktown Spartans up against West Sydney Berries at Francis Park on Sunday (3pm).
After defeating St George last week, the Berries will be keen to overcome the Spartans for the first time this season. Surprisingly, considering their fantastic goal scoring record this year, the Berries have not scored against the Spartans, going down by the single goal in both games this season. Blacktown remain the only club to have kept a clean sheet against the Berries all year.
That will be something West Sydney Berries will be keen to correct and what better game to do so that in the match which will take the winner on to the Grand Final.
Blacktown Spartans should be well rested though and would like to maintain that record. They have not played for three weeks following the postponement of their final round game and last week’s finals break, so it should be a refreshed Spartans who take to the field on Sunday.
Two close games are in store then, in a finals series which has delivered much so far. These two games should further whet the appetite of every Super League supporter.
In the Under 20s finals series, St George will meet Hills Brumbies on Saturday at St George Stadium (4.30pm) in the elimination semi, while on Sunday at Francis Park (12.30pm), Premiers Sydney University meet Spirit FC.
-By Peter Rowney
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