With so much on the line, City striker Bruno Fornaroli believes the occasion will force both teams to be more tentative than the regular season.

"It's different game. You don't have a second opportunity after tomorrow," he said.

"I think both teams are going to be careful and it (will be) harder to open the game.

"Of course, if someone scores early, the game becomes open.

"I think it's different. We don't expect the same game as before."

Fornaroli looms as a major factor, given the Uruguayan has nine goals in his past six games against the Jets.

Whoever wins, a grand-final drought will be broken.

City have never reached a decider, whereas Newcastle haven't been seen on the last day of the season for a decade, when they won the club's sole championship under Gary van Egmond.

The three meetings this season have all been intoxicating affairs.

In round nine, Manny Muscat was City's unlikely hero by scoring an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 away win.

City needed a late equaliser from Dario Vidosic in a 2-2 round-18 draw at AAMI Park.

And on April Fool's Day, City belted the Jets 3-0 at McDonald Jones stadium with Vidosic at the double.

Warren Joyce said those wins were "immaterial" for Friday night's clash.

But Fornaroli said those efforts, as well as four wins from their past five matches overall, conspired to give City's players big confidence heading into the match.

"We've played well the last week," he said.

"We trained very well this week. We're ready.

"I hope there are a lot of people in this stadium and we can feel the atmosphere ... I like to play in this game - I prefer it."

Australian Associated Press