The two sides are currently locked at 16 points each so the winner will take top spot for there own as the second half of the season gets underway.

Hawks' co-coach Andrew Smith knows it is a big clash for his side.

"We played them in round one and had three or four of the senior boys missing from that game," he said.

"It will be a good test to see how we have progressed since that game."

The Hawks have a good record in clashes with the top of the table teams having travelled to West Wyalong and picking up the points on the road and are yet to drop points away from home having won seven games in a row.

"We seem to rise to the occasion when we take on the better teams," he said.

"The week off has been awesome for the boys carrying niggles and from all reports the boys are itching to get back out on the park."

The Waratahs have hit their straps in the last couple of weeks after losing their first game of the season against the Mallee Men. The Griffith side defeated Leeton 42-12 in an injury-affected game before defeating DPC 46-26 before the June long weekend.

Smith knows where his side will need to focus if they want to take top spot.

"They are a big physical side," he said.

"If they are able to win one or two play the ball, they will get away from us.

"We have to control the ruck.

"If we can dominate the first three tackles and not let them break away that will then set up the rest of the set."

The Hawks will be heading into the clash with an almost full strength line-up with the only cloud hanging over Michael Thomas who fronted the judiciary on Wednesday night while they could be unveiling a new signing on Saturday.

The encounter between the two sides in round one saw the Waratahs able to get their season off to a good start with a 32-22 win at the Yanco Sportsground.