The first meeting between the teams this season saw Joel Griffiths rescue a last-gasp point for the Jets after Matt Simon looked to have grabbed the winner for the Mariners.

Van Egmond felt his team should have claimed all three points on that occasion but knows Lawrie McKinna's men will fight and scrap for everything.

The Jets boss told au.fourfourtwo.com: "No question it was two points lost when we played them here in the first game of the season.

"But in the end they went away with a point and were very happy with that.

"You look at them and you know that whatever the situation they will give it everything until that last whistle goes.

"You look back at the game they played at Adelaide earlier in the season. They're 3-0 down away from home yet they fight back and end up with a point.

"Lawrie's team will always keep going and you have to remember that old saying that it's never over until the fat lady sings.

"You have to keep the effort and concentration up there right to the end or you can get punished."

Still, van Egmond can point to his own team's last outing and take heart from a similar desire to keep fighting to the very end.

Their winner in the 1-0 triumph over Melbourne Victory only arrived with five minutes remaining.

Mark Milligan is poised to make his Jets debut this evening and he can't wait for his first taste of the F3 derby.

He said: "Obviously I haven’t played in one but seeing them on TV and the passion on and off the field, it’ll be a new experience for me.

“The derby, Sydney-Central Coast, I don’t think even compares to the Newcastle-Central Coast derby.

“It will be a new experience for me but something I’m very excited about."