Hawks coach Dean Peterkin said the new-look Hawks lack of time on the field together was exposed by Glendale in Saturday’s trial when they conceded three early tries.

Peterkin said the team gelled together in the final two periods and outscored Glendale to finish 28-18 losers.

“We were finishing strong and I think it was a really good hit out for us as a handful of the players haven’t played for five or more years. It was the first game in 12 years for one of the guys,” he said.

The Hawks have a strong core of several players from Kurri Kurri’s 2016 open age grand final team and squad of about 30.

“My experience is that you need 25 to 30 players on the list to cover for work commitments and injuries, so we’re well placed there,” Peterkin said.

The club officially launches its season on March 25 at the Hotel Denman, in Abermain, and has invited all former players, officials and fans to come along for the event which starts at 7pm.

“We’d love for people to bring along old photos as the club has a proud history dating back a century or more,” Peterkin said.

“I think people love their local footy because it is predominantly local boys playing.”

Saturday’s trial starts at 3pm at Howe Park and follows a Ladies League Tag match between Maitland United and Newcastle University at 1.30pm.