Ferguson expecting tough test

The Mariners will trade their traditional yellow playing strips for pink kits in support of the cancer charity event Pink Ribbon Day.

But that's where the niceties end for Central Coast, which will be out to avenge last season's controversial preliminary final loss to Perth.

Glory striker Shane Smeltz scored the equaliser from an offside position in that game as the teams finished locked at 1-1, before Perth secured its passage through to the grand final on penalties.

Smeltz will miss the re-match due to international duties with New Zealand, but his absence won't make the pain of the Mariners' preliminary final heartbreak go away.

Both teams are renowned for their toughness, and Glory coach Ian Ferguson said he expected another hard-at-it affair.

"They're a physical side. We get that tag as well unfortunately," Ferguson said.

"But I've always said you've got to win the battle first before the football's played, and hopefully we can do that."

The Mariners were held to a 0-0 draw by newcomer Western Sydney Wanderers last week.

But despite Central Coast's meek showing in round one, Ferguson predicted another good campaign for the Mariners, who won the Premiers' Plate last season.

"They'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season," Ferguson said.

"They have the nucleus of the same squad again and they are going to be difficult to beat."

Glory striker Billy Mehmet, who scored the winner in last week's 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar, will replace Smeltz in the starting line-up, while Japanese import Ryo Nagai is set to start on the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Mariners midfielder Nick Montgomery, who was lively after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute last week, said Central Coast was aiming for nothing short of a victory against Perth.

"We want to get three points and get a good start at home," Montgomery said.