Newcastle will host the finals at Broadmeadow next weekend, and Nichols said the lure of a home semi-final had driven last year's wooden spooners all season.

After finishing fourth the Hunters could survive into next weekend if they lose, but they would need minor premiers Manly to beat sixth-placed Bankstown and second-placed Parramatta to beat fifth-placed Maitland tonight.

Under the WABL finals format, the three winners and the highest-ranked losing team from tonight's three play-offs qualify for the semi-finals next Saturday.

"We've trained hard and played hard all year to get to this spot, to play these last three games, and the boys are up for it," Nichols said.

"It's a play-off match so it's do or die, and that's how we're approaching it.

"We've had our destiny in our own hands all season and we don't want to let anything change that.

"We want to play a home semi-final in front of our own fans next weekend, and the only way to be sure of that is by beating Sydney."

Playmaker Josh Morgan will take his place for the Hunters after his wife, Jill, gave birth to their second child, Harry, yesterday.

The Hunters beat Sydney 97-83 at Broadmeadow on June 26 after the Comets won 70-51 at Alexandria on April 11, ending Newcastle's season-opening four-game winning streak.

Newcastle's women's team, who finished fifth, must beat second-placed Bankstown at Bankstown today to reach the semis at home next Saturday.

A supporters coach will leave Broadmeadow at noon today to watch the Hunters women at Bankstown at 2.30pm, then the men's game at 6.30pm.

Maitland will take a busload of fans with them for their first WABL play-off appearance, at Parramatta at 6pm.

They will be without centre Andrew Mortimore, who broke his wrist in their 95-88 loss to Hills Hornets last Saturday, meaning experienced former NBL swingman Scott McGregor will play more of an inside role.

The Wildcats beat Maitland 82-75 at Parramatta last Sunday, but McGregor said this would work in Maitland's favour.

"We've got to win three games to win the title, so we might as well start with the defending champions," he said.

"They only got us by seven last Sunday and that was after we'd played the night before, but this time we'll be fresh.

"We know exactly what to expect and all the boys are excited because it's the first time Maitland have been to the finals, and we're taking a heap of supporters with us."