FOOTBALL - ILLAWARRA PREMIER LEAGUE
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Wollongong United coach Oliver Vrtkovski plans using Saturday's match with Bulli as a road test for a potential meeting with the ladder leaders in the post-season.
With Bulli already qualified for the finals and the Reds in the box seat to make the top five, the weekend's fixture is the perfect dress rehearsal for a potential showdown come finals time.
"It is one of the those games where you are not expecting the three points. You just test yourself against the best in the league and see where you are at. Hopefully, come finals time, you know where you sit and what you need to do," Vrtkovski said.
Bulli have shown time and time again this season they are the benchmark of Illawarra football.
They handed the Reds a 3-1 defeat last time the pair met and are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run.
"They are a quality team and can carry players. Someone might be off their game and they can still come out with a result," Vrtkovski said.
"At the moment they are showing great signs where they just can show up and get a result these days. That is the sign of a quality team.
"I am hoping we just get through injury free, in the back-end of the season and the important time of the year."
United are already sweating on the fitness of defending George Naylor medallist Robbie Shields, centre back Brendan Reilly (cork) and Mark Every (knee) for the match of the round.
Meanwhile, Bulli are expected to be close to full strength for the first of four crucial clashes on their run home.
The back-to-back competition runners-up remain four points clear of Dapto Dandaloo Fury at the top of the competition, with matches against top-five contenders United, Tarrawanna, South Coast United and Albion Park remaining.
"All the teams that we come up against on the run home are all either in the top five, trying to make the top five or close to it, so we expect a very tough month ahead," coach Ben Smith said.
"If we do the things we have done all year we will give ourselves every chance.
"This week is the most important one at the moment because this is the one in front of us."
In other matches this weekend, Woonona host Wollongong Olympic, Albion Park play Bellambi and Port Kembla face Fernhill.
On Sunday, Cringila Lions meet Dapto Dandaloo and a vital three points are on the line when South Coast United play Tarrawanna.
ROUND 19
Saturday, 2.30pm
Bulli v Wollongong United, Balls Paddock
Woonona v Wollongong Olympic, PCYC
Albion Park v Bellambi, Terry Reserve
Port Kembla v Fernhill, Wetherall Park
Sunday, 2.30pm
Cringila Lions v Dapto Dandaloo Fury, Crehan Park
South Coast United v Tarrawanna, Ian McLennan Park