United often turned over possession cheaply in a 0-0 draw with Adamstown last weekend and failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

"We've been through the video of Sunday's game and the general consensus is we're pretty disappointed in that we can do a lot better than what we actually did," Ellis said.

"We need some significant changes in how we're going to approach the game. It's not changes in personnel, just getting our heads in the right space and the sort of game we want to play. That's things like valuing possession much more.

"We were in a bit of a rush to go forward and we gave Adamstown far too much ball. We've got a tremendously strong team on the ball and we've got to take advantage of that. It's not until the second round that Merewether traditionally hits their straps. We don't have that luxury this year, so we've got to get our act into gear a bit sooner."

A win would move Merewether from five points and third place into top spot, ahead of Adamstown (seven points) and Newcastle Olympic (six), who face off at Darling Street Oval on Sunday. But a Magic win would move the visitors to six points and ahead of United. The match is the first of three in 10 days for Magic and it is a period coach Jake Curley is looking forward to.

"The benefit for us is that if we can play a few games our girls can get fitter quicker," Curley said. "If we could get six points out of these next three games I think that would set up us well and then we can go from there."

Kalista Hunter will make her first appearance in Magic colours after serving a one-match suspension incurred during last year's semi-finals as Broadmeadow. The Magic captain and centre-back was forced to watch on as her team opened their season with a last-minute 2-1 win over New Lambton on Sunday.

The match Friday night kicks off at 8pm.

In other games on Sunday, New Lambton are at home Mid Coast and Thornton host Warners Bay.