The Hawks currently sit third in one of the most open seasons in the competition’s recent history, however it only leaves them two games clear of seventh spot.

Saturday’s clash with fourth-placed Corowa at Ball Park doesn’t get much bigger first round back from the break.

Hawks’ captain Brent de Vries admits his side hasn’t had the ideal preparation.

“Unfortunately we’ve only been able to get one training session in with the weather,” he said.

“We had our first training session on Thursday night and we were a bit rusty, but we’ll see how we go.

“The good thing is we’re pretty close to a full side and we’ve got a lot of blokes back in who should be right for the rest of the season.”

Among the inclusions is the return of Josh Bartel, who will play a huge role in the run to finals.

“Obviously he's a really good all-rounder for us and gives us that extra bowling option,” de Vries said.

“He’s a freak, he’s super talented.”

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Kiewa recorded a comfortable eight-wicket win against Corowa in their most recent meeting in round three – tearing through the reigning premiers for 62 and reaching the total in the 13^th over.

But de Vries knows it won’t be as straightforward second time around.

“I think they were fairly low on numbers that game, but they’re always a challenge,” he said.

“We just bowled really tight and I think that’s what you’ve got to do with them.

“They tend to be more of a batting side.”

Nathan Rhodes made a huge century for Corowa against Bethanga before Christmas and has moved to second in the run-scoring with 427 at 53.38.

“We’ve got to take early wickets and put the pressure on the middle order, hopefully they might crumble around it,” de Vries said.

“Every game is really important, the one-day format has made things really close up the top.”

But it's been a far cry from 12 months ago for the Hawks, where they were battling to stay off the bottom.

“We’ve lost as many games this year (three) as we won last year,” De vries said.

“Getting a lot of blokes back has changed the whole dynamic of the club.”

In other games this round, Dederang plays host to Bethanga, Yackandandah clashes with Mount Beauty, Howlong takes on ladder leaders Baranduda, while Eskdale squares off with Barnawartha-Chiltern.