Unable to play in pre-season friendlies until the coronavirus public-health rules were relaxed last week, the Jets lined up against Magic on the weekend and again on Wednesday night, behind closed doors.

No official score was kept for either game, but it is understood the new-look Jets "won" the first trial 9-1 and the second 6-0.

Under new coach Arthur Papas, the Jets have been training for more than three months, while Zane said his players have had only a handful of sessions to prepare.

But the four-time Northern NSW NPL coach of the year was nonetheless impressed with what he saw of a Newcastle squad that has been almost completely rebuilt from last season.

"Our coaching staff all agreed that they [Newcastle] are a team people are going to want to watch this year," Zane said.

"They play a very high-tempo type of game, and that's very tough for the opposition, because you don't get time to breathe.

"But also, I think people will find that high-tempo style exciting to watch.

"I don't want to jinx them, but yeah, I think they'll be an exciting team this season."

Zane said the two games against the Jets were the ideal preparation for Broadmeadow's blockbuster FFA Cup clash with Western Sydney on November 10.

"We're really grateful to the Jets for giving us the opportunity," he said.

"In the first game, we made some errors, so we were looking to improve on that last night, and I think we did. We haven't done a lot of training - we had about three weeks to get ready - so it was a bit like cramming for an exam.

"But it was a good experience for all the boys, and I know they're really committed to putting on a decent showing against Western Sydney."

The Jets are now desperately trying to line up trial games against A-League opposition, in preparation for their November 21 season-opener, at home to Central Coast Mariners.

AAP reports: Young gun Marco Tilio has signed a two-year contract extension with Melbourne City in a boost for the club ahead of their A-League Men title defence.

Tilio played a key role in City's premiership-championship double under Patrick Kisnorbo last season and scored a memorable long-range goal on his Olyroos debut in a surprise win over Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 20-year-old winger will remain with City until the end of the 2023/24 season.

"The club has shown a lot of faith in me so it was really a no-brainer to extend my contract," Tilio said.

"I want to help the club continue to have success and create more memories in my time here so I can repay the faith that they have put in me."

Tilio started 10 of City's final 11 matches last season, banking a goal and an assist in the semi-final win over Macarthur.

"My goal this year is to continue to develop as a player and person to take my game to a new level," he said.

"I want to push my teammates and push myself to play each week."

City's cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory are hoping Italian forward Francesco Margiotta can help fire them back into finals contention under new coach Tony Popovic.

The 28-year-old Margiotta is a product of the Juventus academy and spent seven seasons on the books of the Serie A giants.

, with loan spells at Carrarese, Monza, Venezia and Sanraecangelo before a successful stint in Switzerland.

The 28-year-old most recently played with Serie B club Chievo Verona and has signed a one-year deal with Victory, who finished bottom of the table last season.

"Francesco has built his career on being a commanding centre forward and we're confident he will play an important role for Melbourne Victory this season," Popovic said.

"He has been a proven goal-scorer at a range of levels across Europe and will complement the exciting, attacking players we already have within our squad."

The ALM season is set to kick off on November 19, with City hosting Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park in the opener.