The competition enters its second round of three this weekend and Magpies coach Keelan Hamiton said the match was a chance for his young side to show how much improvement they have made since joining the league this campaign.

Maitland sustained a 5-2 loss to Magic in their first WPL hit-out but have won three of their six encounters since to be in fourth position with nine points, two ahead of fifth-placed Adamstown.

They beat New Lambton 6-0 then Mid Coast 5-0 in the past two outings. Stapleford and Radstaak, Maitland's captain and vice-captain respectively, returned from injury with appearances from the bench against Mid Coast. Stapleford, a wide player, had been out for four matches with a quadriceps injury and centre-back Radstaak missed two games with a groin complaint.

Hamilton said both trained fully this week and the only player in doubt was midfielder Emmeline Pepper due to illness.

"Our last game was pleasing for us just to get a second good performance in a row and go into Broadmeadow with a bit of confidence," Hamilton said. "I thought for most of the first round we performed quite well without getting the results. We had some tight losses against Charlestown and against Warners Bay, so this game is a chance to see if you've improved and also a chance to try to get a bit of a run happening too.

"We've got two wins in a row and I know it's a really tough game for us, but we're definitely trying to make it three then get on a bit of a roll."

Magic lead with 19 points, one ahead of Newcastle Olympic (18) in second. Warners Bay, who play Olympic on Sunday, are third on 13 and only five points separate Maitland and Mid Coast (4), who are seventh. Adamstown (7) are favoured to take the points on Saturday against last-placed New Lambton (0), who have picked up former W-League striker Jenna Kingsley since the two sides last met.

Charlestown are sixth with six points but could improve to as high as 12 if they can take maximum points from a weekend double-header with Mid Coast, who could also gain ground on the top sides with success.

"For us to keep in the conversation we need to beat the teams around us and if we can take some points off the top teams as well then that will help us," Hamilton said.

Magic midfielder Kobie Ferguson is out with an ankle injury. The match kicks off at 8pm.