12:00a.m. 5th July 2008

| By Jon Tuxworth

Sunshine Coast Fire may be in the very embryonic stages of its existence, but the club hierarchy can start thinking seriously about purchasing a trophy cabinet should they win tomorrow afternoon.

The undefeated competition leader would all but seal top spot on the ladder, and the inaugural QSL premiership, with victory over Redlands at Stockland Park.

Heading into the top-of-the-table clash the Fire enjoy a six-point break over second-placed Redlands, meaning securing the three points would all but put the Devils out of premiership contention.

A Fire win, combined with a likely Brisbane Strikers triumph over struggling Logan, would ensure the Coast maintain its eight-point gap over the Strikers.

Even with five rounds still remaining after this week, it’s unlikely the Fire will give the Strikers a sniff of the premiership given their current blistering form.

Fire captain Ryan Smith admitted taking a massive step toward the club’s first accolade is a huge carrot ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

“That’s what George (Cowie, Fire coach) was saying to us on Wednesday (at training), that if we do win it will go a long way to winning the premiership,” Smith said.

While the premiership appears clear cut should the Fire win Smith was adamant the race for the championship, awarded to the winner of the grand final, is wide open.

“There are the Strikers, North Queensland are a good side and even Olympic are close to fourth position and playing well at the moment,” he said.

“Anyone who gets in the top four has the ability to win it.”

The home side should have a full squad to choose from. Scottish imports Bryan Gilfillan and Lewis Mackinnon were restricted to a light session at training on Wednesday but are expected to take their place in the line-up.

Smith admitted the magnitude of the Fire’s success, who boast 11 wins and a draw from 12 matches, had exceeded his expectations.

“If someone said to me at the start of the year that we’d be undefeated and sitting on top of the league by six points at this stage, I would have been pretty surprised,” Smith said.