The F3 derby is the A-League’s longest rivalry, going all the way back to the pre-season competition of the A-League’s inaugural season. Join us at 5pm AEDT for live scores and a blog as the Newcastle Jets host the Central Coast Mariners at Ausgrid Stadium this afternoon.
Today caps a week when the Jets welcomed back two old faces to the club: EPL striker Francis Jeffers, who had a short but productive stint with the Jets last season, and former championship coach Gary van Egmond.
Unfortunately for the home side, neither of them will be available this afternoon.
The Jets will be wishing that Jeffers was available after their problems in front of goal last weekend against a nine-man Phoenix, though Griffiths had a bit of a blinder in their win in the season open when the Jets got out of jail against the Heart.
The Mariners are without a win in their first two games, although one of those games was against Brisbane, and these days everyone loses against the Roar.
Key midfielders Mustafa Amini and Stuart Musialik remain unavailable, and captain Alex Wilkinson will also miss.
Neither team boasts an advantage in either the middle of the park or in the front third, so it would not be surprising to see both defences get on top of their respective opponents, with both teams boasting experienced defenders amongst their back four.
The Mariners have recent good form against the Jets, and with the much maligned Graham Arnold as their manager, they have someone capable of getting the team structures right as the game progresses in what is likely to be a tight game.
The Jets are expecting a big crowd for this one, but the home fans will have to settle for a draw today.
Will bad blood spill over at Ausgrid Stadium? Join us from 5.00pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog of all the action, and leave your opinion below.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
that's it for me, thanks for joining us for the F3 derby, good luck to NZ in the RWC tonight (about to start)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
FT Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners That's it, a very important win for the Jets in the F3 derby, their first win over the Mariners for a few years now. This game was won in the first half when the Jets stopped the Mariners from playing their game plan, the Jets pressed high up the park, Mariners struggled to get out, Jets caused many turnovers leading to opportunities, and Brockie's goal came from such an turnover, in his case, it involved a brilliant solo effort. Byun, Wehrman and Kantrovski were all good for the Jets, Kennedy was very safe in goals as well. For the Mariners, they got some control back in the second half, a few changes allowed them to put a bit more pressure on the Jets goal, a few half openings, but that was about it. Ryan was also very good in goals for CCM.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
93' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Jets have done well to keep ball up forward, Haliti now out wide, goes for flag again, goal kick, but time almost up
The Cattery
Roar Guru
92' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Jets witih free, Jesic has it now, Haliti goes for corner flag, win the thrown in, Jets will hold on here
The Cattery
Roar Guru
91' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Bozanic put is a tired ball, Mariners keep numbers forward, Hearfield has a shot, straight into Regan corner for CCM, Bozanic puts it in, out for a throw in, Byun down with cramps, he's had a good game
The Cattery
Roar Guru
90' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners nice ball into the box, claimed by Kennedy
The Cattery
Roar Guru
88' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Jets are starting to get forward a bit, Mariners have lost a bit of momentum last few minutes NTS beats Simon to the ball, time counting down
The Cattery
Roar Guru
87' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Bojic gives a silly free away in his own half, Kwasnik now earns a yellow after Elrich got to the ball first, once again deep in their own territory, relieves the pressure for the Jets, they'll take their time, about 33m from goal, nice try by Griffiths!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
86' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Ryan claims the ball from Abbas with plenty of Jets in the box, still time for Mariners to tie this one up
The Cattery
Roar Guru
84' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners seeing the replay, Kantarovski did give Ibini a bit of a shove,but not a clear cut pen Jets have definitely dropped their earlier pressing game and are now standing back, protecting what they have
The Cattery
Roar Guru
83' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners CCM force turnover in the Jets half, Hearfield puts it in, cleared, throw in, Ibing goes to ground, no pen!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
82' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Jets appear to be playing for safety now, they're counting down the seconds, they have the throw in deep in Mariners territory, Griffiths played for the free, ref didn't give it
The Cattery
Roar Guru
81' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Kwasnik getting ready to come on, he'll replace Porter, so CCM have 3 or 4 strikers on!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
80' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners CCM force the turnover, Bozanic tries one from around 40m
The Cattery
Roar Guru
79' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Simon puts pressure on, defender has to put it out for a corner, Jets hanging on, Hearfield puts it in, Kennedy eventually claims it
The Cattery
Roar Guru
77' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Jets break here, Abbas decided to go it alone, soft shot to Ryan,
The Cattery
Roar Guru
76' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners This time Jets through ball far too heavy, Ryan collects, Mariners get out of their half again realtively easy, Ibini goes for a run, this way, that way, powerful shot, nearly knocks kennedy off his feet!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
74' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Zadkovich off, final sub for Jets Mariners still have one left, Hearfield coming on now for McGlinchey,
The Cattery
Roar Guru
73' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Arnie reckons Kennedy is wasting time - might have a point nice switch by Kantarovski, but Bojic has Jesic's measure - Harps just said that was actually Jesic's first touch, giving an indication of how much CCM has controlled the game for past 15 min
The Cattery
Roar Guru
72' Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Rose, to the byline, but ran out of space, goal kick for jets