For McGree's Melbourne City, it's a crucial chance to get their wobbling season back on track. 

Warren Joyce's City, who now boast the firepower of Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren and Tottenham loanee Shayon Harrison in their ranks, have just one win in their past six outings. 

McGree hasn't returned to McDonald Jones Stadium since last year's decider. City have played the Jets three times in Melbourne and won each time. McGree opened the scoring in both league wins, and Joyce wants the 20-year-old to make it a trifecta - even if it's not as extravagant as his Puskas Award-nominated strike.

"The target obviously for him was double figures," Joyce  said. "He'd settle for a goal whichever way it comes."

City are fifth on 28 points - nine ahead of the Jets.

Newcastle sit eight points outside the top six but are coming home with a wet sail, winning three of their past five, including a midweek Asian Champions League qualifier. 

"If you look at their team ... at their best, it was the side that got to the grand final and coulda, shoulda won it really," Joyce said. 

"They're no mugs. Experienced, know their jobs. We expect a hard game, we're ready for that, we want to test ourselves in big games and we've got a few good games coming up."

Those big games include matches against the top three in successive weeks after their trip to the Hunter.

And you'd forgive Joyce from being a little nervous at key players walking a suspension tightrope.

Marquee Ritchie de Laet, captain Scott Jamieson and Harrison Delbridge are all one yellow card away from missing a match; Bart Schenkeveld, McGree, Nathaniel Atkinson and Rostyn Griffiths are two cautions away from a missed match.

Joyce said the goal was to nurse them though before the slate was wiped clean in four matches time.

"There's bound to be a little bit of disruption in the coming weeks because we've got people pending suspensions," he said.