Newcastle 1 Central Coast 1

CENTRAL COAST coach Lawrie McKinna is already looking forward to hosting Sydney FC next week, knowing a number of his regulars should be back on the park.

Last season's A-League runners-up came away with a 1-1 draw to champions Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night, despite fielding a very young side missing as many as six first-team regulars through injury.

McKinna expected new signing Dylan Macallister, star left-back Dean Heffernan and experienced central defender Nigel Boogaard would all return against this season's favourites at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.

"We had a lot of boys missing and credit to the boys that were out there, they worked hard," McKinna said of the draw.

In a game without too many chances until the very end, both sides were reasonably happy with a point.

Mariners striker Matt Simon's goal came against the run of play - just hours after he got off a plane from China following the Olyroos' failed campaign.

"I'm going to see if I can catch a flight next week to Sydney. It felt great," joked Simon, whose 86th-minute header was his first A-League goal.

"It's great to get the monkey off the back. I can't remember how it went in, I just know it did."

The Jets, who did all the pressing in the second half, got one back in the 90th minute through a penalty to Joel Griffiths after Central Coast's Brad Porter brought down Tarek Elrich with a lazy challenge in the box.

"Overall, we would have been happy to come away with a point and it's turned out that way, but it's hard to take after giving away a silly penalty at the end," McKinna said.

They may rue the draw, though. In each of the first three seasons the team which won the season opener went on to make the grand final: Central Coast in 2005/06, Melbourne in 2006/07, and the Mariners again last season.

¡ In other A-League news, the Wellington Phoenix are keen to improve their reputation in their second season and have promised a bruising welcome for the highly fancied Queensland Roar today.

Wooden spooners last year, the Phoenix carry good form into the Westpac Stadium match after making the pre-season cup final.

An impressive off-season recruitment has lured skipper Andrew Durante and fellow defenders Jon McKain and Manny Muscat.

Their addition points to a stronger Phoenix outfit, which had four three-goal losses last season.

The Roar are missing captain Craig Moore through suspension.

"I think Queensland will again be a good side," Herbert said.

"They're a mobile team and a young team, and they'll be tough. But I think if we can get on top of them then we've got the firepower to overcome them."

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw three weeks ago in Queensland, and Durante is taking plenty of confidence out of that match.

Roar coach Frank Farina expects a scrap.

"It's always going to be tough when you go over there but we're looking at getting something," Farina said before crossing the ditch.

Among five new faces for the Roar is 32-year-old former Scottish international Charlie Miller.

Reinaldo travelled with the Roar after reuniting with Farina's men last last week, and is likely to be named on the bench.