Weekend sport preview

SBS World News Radio: While the third cricket test between India Australia looms large on the sporting landscape, there's also A-League, Super rugby, NRL and the women's AFL.

Weekend sport previewWeekend sport preview

Weekend sport preview

With Sydney FC all but having wrapped up the Premiers Plate, this weekend's A-League action centres on those trying to finish as high up the table as possible.

Melbourne Victory has seemingly locked down second place on the ladder, but the race between third-placed Melbourne City, fourth-placed Brisbane and fifth-placed Perth Glory is a lot tighter.

Just one point separates those three.

Melbourne City is only ahead of Brisbane on goal difference which makes Saturday's clash with the Newcastle Jets all the more important.

The Jets have been inconsistent this season, but can still upset the top teams.

They did just that against City back in round 17 winning 2-1 - something City midfielder Luke Brattan is all too aware of.

"It's a credit to the league, you know every game is a hard game, you can't take any team lightly. And Newcastle have proved that this year, they're playing very well and they're sniffing for finals as well so they'll be coming out firing as they do every week against us, so it's going to be a tough game."

Because round 23 is split, there's no Friday night match.

On Sunday, Adelaide United takes on Brisbane and the Western Sydney Wanderers play the Wellington Phoenix.

Friday night's NRL sees two matches in action, with unbeaten Parramatta travelling to take on the Gold Coast Titans, looking to make it three wins from three games.

It's a different story in Dunedin, where the New Zealand Warriors are looking to make it three losses in a row for the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has already been under plenty of pressure with speculation surrounding his future at the club.

The players have rallied behind their beleaguered coach.

Second-rower Josh Jackson says the group wants to help take the pressure off Hasler with a win.

"It would be good if it happens soon. He's pretty vital to the club and to what we've achieved in the past and I think moving forward as well. It's been a bit of a clunky couple of weeks starting but I'm sure once we get moving we'll be fine."

In Super Rugby this weekend the NSW Waratahs take on the ACT Brumbies in Sydney on Saturday night.

The match will be Michael Hooper's 100th Super Rugby match, but most of the pre-game talk has focused on the playing position of fellow Waratah, Israel Folau.

He's played full-back, wing and now inside centre.

He's been given until round 7 of the season to prove himself in that number 13 role by head coach Daryl Gibson, and Folau told Fox Sports he's happy where is right now.

"I guess right now I'm in that 13 position and really embracing it and constantly always talking to Daryl and the rest of the coaching staff in terms of little things to improve and I certainly feel confident."

The women's AFL tournament enters its final weekend of action before the finals.

The Melbourne Demons take on Fremantle on Saturday, which will be followed by the Giants against the Western Bulldogs.

The Adelaide Crows can join Brisbane in the Grand Final with a win against Collingwood on Sunday, while Brisbane may be tempted to rest some players against Carlton having already secured its spot.

The men's season is still two weeks away but fans are showing plenty of interest in the pre-season competition.

There are five matches remaining in the current round which continues Friday with Hawthorn against the Geelong Cats.

 

 


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By John Baldock



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