The Bulls came up trumps on both previous occasions, but not by a heck of a lot and as anyone who follows any code of football knows, beating the same team three times in one season is virtually unheard of.
Aston’s main threat is former Australian test player and Queensland State of Origin forward Daniel Wagon, but if the Fight can do what Jacksonville did during the regular season, which was to shut him down, they’re in with a big chance.
Wags, as he’s more commonly known among his teammates, told ARN earlier in the season that he was pleasantly surprised by the standard of Rugby League in America and as a consequence, he has been treating every game with as much passion and preparation as he did when he played in the NRL in Australia.
The flipside is that Philly has its own strike weapon in homegrown skipper Brad Kielinski, who can turn the flow of a game in the blink of an eye.
Brad Kielinski (Marvin Dangerfield photo)
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If the Bulls go to sleep at any time during the contest, Kielinski could make them pay dearly.
Each team of course doesn’t just rely on these two players as each has a pretty good supporting cast, but Wagon and Kielinski could hold the keys to the final outcome depending on how they play on Saturday.
Elsewhere, the high-powered New Haven Warriors will be red hot favorites to take down the Fairfax Eagles at home in Connecticut.
For the most part, New Haven has been crushing its opposition and because of that, the Eagles know that in order to win they will have to play the game of the year.
Finally, reigning champions New York will be at home to the Washington DC Slayers in a Saturday night showdown and this one really could go either way.
The Knights will start favorites because they’re at home at The Castle on Pier 40 in Manhattan, but the Slayers have been impressive in patches this season and if the stars are aligned and if they can execute their game plan, anything can happen.
No matter what, make sure to check back right here this weekend to get caught up on all the news, scores and highlights from what promises to be an opening round of high-octane, hard-hitting, in your face Rugby League playoff action.
Quarterfinals (home team listed first):
New Haven Warriors v Fairfax Eagles
Aston Bulls v Philadelphia Fight
New York Knights v Washington DC Slayers
