The Magpies are through to the preliminary final after defeating the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. They take on the winner of this weekend's semi-final clash between Geelong and Fremantle.
Magpies midfielder Luke Ball said a little more intensity at two training sessions was the only change the side would make to its weekly routine.
"We'll treat it like a normal training week. We're only two days post-game now so we're still in the recovery phase but we'll train pretty hard on Wednesday and Friday and have the weekend off," Ball said on Monday night.
The 26-year-old has had experience in having the week off before playing in a preliminary final, having done it twice as a St Kilda player in 2005 and 2009.
But he said there was little insight he could offer his new teammates on how best to handle the week off.
"Not really. I think the coach has been around for a while. He has probably been through it more times than I have. There is probably not a hell of a lot the fitness staff is not across so they will put their heads together and work out the best way for us," he said.
"When you come to training you want to be in training mode, train hard and stay sharp. I don't think there will be any issues with this group."
Ball would not be drawn in to talk of playing off in a grand final despite the Magpies being just one win away from making it to the biggest day in football.
"We've got to look at our opponent on Friday night and whoever it is it's going to be a pretty tough challenge. Unfortunately I can't afford to look that far ahead," he said.
Ball said the Mapgies would look to carry over the momentum from the Bulldogs win to their next game two weeks later.
"It's tough enough to win home and away games so to win our first final was a great result.
"What it means is another big game in front of a big crowd and we've had the opportunity to play in front of big crowds most of the year so it is going to be another big challenge."
