The Gladiators will be hoping that a week off due to the pitch at
The Cheetahs are currently 2-2 and are desperate for the win if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs. Their defence has been having a strong season so far, conceding only 33 points in four games, including two shut outs. The offence however, has struggled to score points, recording only 32, and themselves being shut out twice.
The Gladiators will be hot favourites after their impressive start to the season, averaging over 50 points a game, and with the defence yet to concede a point after five league games. The 2009 season has already seen a number of long standing Gladiators records fall, including most points scored in a game (88), largest margin of victory (82), and most individual touchdowns scored in a game (8 by Alex Robinson).
Offensive Coordinator Tarquin Stephenson will be hoping to select from a full offensive squad for Sunday. Leo Beckford, Rich Thomas, Adam Burrows and Steve Pinner are all expected to return although the status of rookie Shaun Griffin is uncertain after leaving the game against
Gladiators running backs are averaging a staggering nine yards per carry and have clocked up 29 touchdowns over the first half of this season so far and there should be more of the same against the Cheetahs. Coach Stephenson has been looking to quarterback Dan Singer to be more than a hand-off machine however, and the passing game has been improving steadily so far, completing nearly 58% of passes for almost 500 yards with seven going for scores.
Head Coach
Coach Roberts hopes to have defensive tackle Dave Crane available for the first time this season after suffering a knee injury in preseason, although cornerback Tom Clarke remains out with a neck injury.