Group 10's general bye over the Easter weekend gave Cowra coach Steve Sutton time to reflect more positively on their 32-24 loss to Bathurst Panthers in round two of the competition.

"We had a good first half and then made too many fundamental errors in the second half and that's probably cost us the game in the end," he said.

"At the time I was obviously very disappointed, but the more I sat down and thought about it, the more I realised we're a new side with new combinations and they're getting to know the style of play that I want. That probably contributed to the loss as much as anything else."

What it did highlight to the Magpies outfit is the need to bring their 'A game' every week or defeats will be inevitable.

"I don't think there is going to be any easy games, most sides have built up and particularly on Bathurst's home track, they were a little more desperate than us," Sutton said.

"They had lost the week before and didn't want to be two wins behind and were a bit better than us on the day."

Hawks, too, will be desperate to chalk up their first win of 2014 after a disrupted and injury-plagued start.

Losses to Orange CYMS in the opening-round Orange derby before Oberon got them by a point has Hawks keen to open their account.

"They will be desperate for a win and they get a few players back this weekend by all reports," Sutton said.

"I think they get Arty Shead their front rower back and one or two others, but they have lost Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill their half back that will put a dent in them."

The Magpies faithful will also see Jeremy Gordon in the black and white strip for the first time on Sunday.

Gordon, the son of Bert Gordon who played in the premiership-winning Magpies outfit in 1996, is a former Roosters and Bulldogs lower grader and a major signing for Cowra.

His inclusion, after sitting on the sidelines through suspension, is something Sutton believes will make a huge impact.

"We get Jeremy back this week which is a bonus. He is another focal point in attack - he's going to take the pressure off Tim Holman and Ricky Whitton," Sutton said.

"He also reads the game very, very well. He has natural football instincts at the back and he will be an extra string to our attack.

"I think we'll be a much, much better side with him back at fullback - no disrespect to Toby Nobes who did a good job. Jeremy is one of the better footballers in the group and he'll make a massive difference to us."

Barring any illness or injury, Josh Trayhurn will drop out of the top team to make way for Gordon with Phil Ingram shifting to the wing and Nobes moving into the centres.

"We trained on Thursday [last week] and I was really, really happy with how the boys went as well. So hopefully this week, we can put the previous loss behind us and put in another good effort on our home track," Sutton said.

Cowra play Orange Hawks in all four grades beginning with the league tag at 11am.

The Magpies have back-to-back home games taking on Oberon next week in a Saturday fixture.