JETS coach Craig Deans has urged his young tyros to rise to the challenge in Saturday's F3 Derby clash with Central Coast Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium, rather than relying on senior players to lead the way.
While Newcastle veterans Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Jason Hoffman and Roy O'Donovan have played in multiple derbies and need no reminding about what is at stake, the rest of the squad is largely inexperienced.
Jets midfielders Luka Prso and Jordan O'Doherty, in particular, will be playing their first grudge match against the club's arch-rivals.
Deans said since the A-League's 2005-06 foundation season, the F3 derby was a chance for players "to make a statement" and Saturday's showdown would be no different.
"I'd love some of the young boys to step up and make a name for themselves ... obviously the older boys know a lot about football and themselves, but I'd love for the younger boys to jump up and show people what they've got," Deans said.
The Mariners, who have been wooden spooners in the past three seasons, will arrive in Newcastle flying high after climbing to second on the ladder midweek.
They would like nothing more than a win to leave last-placed Newcastle stranded in the competition cellar.
Given their respective positions on the points table, Deans expects the visiting Mariners fans to be in full cry and is looking forward to the atmosphere they help create.
"That's the whole beauty of derby games, that there is that sort of stuff going on," Deans said.
"You have to enjoy it and be up for the battle and the fight.
"They can come and hopefully they bring a lot of people, and we match it or double it, and we get a good atmosphere and good game and we come out on the right side of it.
"It's a big game, always. They obviously want to win to make sure of a finals position, and we want to win to get away from the bottom of the table.
"So there should be nothing left on the table at the end of the day, and hopefully we come out on top."
The match will be the last appearance for Newcastle's overseas import Liridon Krasniqi, who received an emotional send-off from his fellow players and Deans after Friday's final training session.
The Kosovo-born midfielder, who switched nationalities after qualifying to represent Malaysia, has made eight appearances for the Jets, all off the bench.
"He's involved in the World Cup qualifiers with the Malaysian team, which is great for him," Deans said.
"Obviously he's disappointed that he didn't get as much game time as he hoped for, or expected, when he got here, but unfortunately there are tough decisions you have to make in coaching.
"The whole time he's been here ... his attitude around the group, his influence, leadership and the professionalism he's shown - especially with us having such a young squad - it's been excellent."
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