Macquarie are fourth on the Newcastle Rugby League ladder and have already secured a spot in the finals.

They could finish third if Kurri Kurri beat Cessnock this weekend.

Despite the finals guarantee, the Scorpions won't take the game against the sixth-place Maitland lightly.

Last time the teams played each other, in round seven, Maitland won 42-40.

Macquarie will be without inspirational front-rower and captain Adam Swadling, who snapped his medial ligament in the Scorpions' 14-10 win over Souths in the previous round.