Pondeljak has been hampered by an inflamed knee for the last two weeks and only returned to training on Friday. Even though the 32-year-old will undergo a fitness test this morning, McKinna knows he has virtually no chance of starting.

McKinna is hopeful former Australia international Pondeljak could take a place on the bench, with Andre Gumprecht or Greg Owens, who was in the Adelaide United side humbled 6-0 by Melbourne Victory in last year's Grand Final, vying for the midfield role.

"Tommy got through everything at training but it is probably too risky to start him," said McKinna. "We're hopeful he can possibly be on the bench.

"Greg is more attacking and pushes forward while Gumps is more defensive and keeps the ball. It will just depend on whether we want to be more attacking or more defensive and we still haven't decided."

McKinna has no other injury concerns with John Aloisi, Mile Jedinak, Nigel Boogaard and Alvin Ceccoli all overcoming niggling injuries.

The Mariners boast a squad with significantly more Grand Final experience with 11 players - including former Sydney FC championship winners Sasho Petrovski and Alvin Ceccoli - available, while there are eight survivors in the squad from the 1-0 loss to Sydney FC in the inaugural Grand Final two years ago.

Mariners' former Australia international defender Tony Vidmar, 37, will play his final game after announcing his retirement last week.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond is boosted by the news young striker James Holland came through a light training session on Saturday after struggling with a quad muscle injury during the week and is in line for a starting berth against the Mariners, who topped the regular season table ahead of Newcastle by virtue of goal difference.