But while El Clasicoal bragging rights are a matter of pride, collecting three points for a win is even more important in the 13-game compacted 2020 season.

Both teams are coming off important wins, with the Bears collecting three-points on the road with a 3-2 win against Lambton and Maitland 4-1 winners at home against Lake Macquarie.

"The local derby is a big one for both clubs, but particularly for a few of the boys including myself and (brother) Liam and Jimmy Thompson who have played for both clubs. It's one you always pencil in on the calendar.

"For a very long time Weston were the dominant team in the Hunter. Maitland weren't in the same division for a long time there, but in recent years Maitland has closed the gap and we've achieved some good results in recent seasons.

"It's always good to come up against old teammates. I've played a lot of football with Nathan Morris and Robbie Turnbull who are the only two in the line-up now from my time at Weston. We had a fair bit of success over that journey.

"Weston are always tough at Bears Park, they usually get a pretty vocal crowd and it's a much bigger pitch than what you usually play on. They are tough to beat there.

"Bragging rights is important but the win is even more important for both clubs in terms of their ambitions for the year."

After claiming the premiers trophy last year but losing the grand final to Edgeworth there is unfinished business for the Magpies in claiming the double in 2020.

"I personally feel we've got the team to take out the comp this year, take out the premiership and hopefully make and win the grand final," Thornton said.

"From the club's perspective the first goal is to ensure that we are one of the teams that make the finals.

"But I think there is a big expectation there that we do better than that.and that we are one of the real contenders to take out the title again."

Maitland started the season poorly with a 4-1 loss to Edgeworth, but returned to the winner's circle with a 4-1 result against Lakes. The Magpies could easily have scored in double figures as star strikers Braedyn Crowley and Joel Wood both missed gilt-edge chances.

"We didn't start the game that well conceding a goal within the first minute but I think what was most pleasing was that the boys didn't panic," Thornton said.

"We went about getting into the game and once we scored that equaliser pretty soon after it was pretty much one-way traffic for us.

"Probably disappointing that it only ended up 4-1 as we had a lot of chances and it could have really blown out.

"There is still plenty of improvement to be made, but the signs are there that the season is looking on track."

Thornton said the Bears were impressive in victory against one of the predicted competition heavyweights Lambton.

"I did catch some of the Weston game as well and they looked pretty sharp and they kept the ball well against Lambton who are meant to be one of the better teams this season, so I'm sure they'll be up for it."