The teams play in the feature match of Newcastle Rugby League's fourth round at Cessnock at 8pm tonight.

The match was due to be played on Friday but the clubs agreed to bring the game forward a day due to the Easter long weekend.

Always a spirited encounter, the derby has produced some fiery clashes over the years but both coaches admitted this week it would be a learning experience for not only plenty of their players, but also themselves.

Kurri will have 10 players involved for the first time tonight, Cessnock at least six.

"I'm a bit new to the rivalry. I know it's generally pretty fiery but I've tried to keep it all about footy and all about us for this week," first-year Cessnock coach Harry Siejka said.

"The guys that know what it is all about, I'm sure they'll lift for it and everyone says it's normally a pretty full-on game."

The Goannas suffered their first loss last week after winning their first two games, falling to Macquarie 20-10 at home.

Siejka said halfback Kendyll Fahey suffered an ankle injury in the game and was unlikely to play against Kurri, but forwards Sam Mataora and Pat Robards would likely feature.

"We haven't played at full strength yet, so I'd like to see and judge us when we've got all hands on deck," he said.

Kurri have a shorter turnaround to deal with after playing Wests on Sunday in what was their first game this season after two postponements.

Bulldogs coach Aaron Watts said his side pulled up "pretty heavy-legged" from the 14-4 win at Harker Oval and had lost Jesse Wighton to a hamstring injury.

"The ground was a bit deceiving," he said.

"I didn't really realise until we started to warm-up how damp it was.

"Being the first game, there's a few bumps and bruises."

Kurri recruited from far and wide ahead of this season and had 10 debutants last week. Watts said his side would need to improve, but also needs time to gel.

"Our effort was great, but just our execution, which again falls back to [limited] training and no games, along with new players," he said.

"If the effort's there, at least you can work on the other stuff. If the effort is not there, you're behind the eight ball."