The Hawks played their first pre-season game against Mooroopna last weekend with the pair giving away five 50m penalties.

Introduced into the AFL this season, the defending player on the mark is allowed only minimal movement and if the player moves in any direction prior to 'play on' being called by the umpire, a 50m penalty will be implemented.

Designed to encourage more scoring, the controversial rule created an outcry at the elite level last weekend when Fremantle's Brennan Cox turned his back and took a step towards the posts with the umpire issuing a 50m penalty.

"Part of the practice match schedule will be understanding the new rules, particularly that man on the mark and making sure you don't go early and wait for the umpire's call," Cresswell said.

"When you get fatigued, you can lose concentration and 50m is a pretty big penalty, it doesn't matter where you are on the ground, it can end up costing a goal.

"It's a big test for our players, who aren't full-time, but it's also a big test for our umpires as well."

Rovers are away to fellow finals fancies Yarrawonga on Saturday, from 11am.

The Hawks will be without a handful of stars, including their Gold Coast trio Tyler Cornish, Tom Thynne and Todd Grayson.

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"There's some players who aren't playing this week who will play next week, but we're just trying to get seven quarters into most players," Cresswell explained.

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"Raven Jolliffe, (former Melbourne player) Matt Jones, they'll get their seven quarters up and won't play next week, so that should be enough hopefully to be ready for round one."

Rovers kick off the season away to Lavington on March 28, while Yarrawonga is the season opener against Albury the previous day.