The Hawks spring the surprise of the opening round last Sunday when they upstaged defending premiers Hanwood 4-3 at Rawlings Park.

They will be put to the test for the second consecutive week as they prepare to travel to take on Leeton in round two, a team who backed up the early hype with a 4-0 win over Wagga United last Sunday.

The Hawks will be without former captain Chris Hart, who will miss a couple of weeks at least with a dislocated shoulder, while first-choice keeper Nathan Trinder is in doubt with an ankle injury.

Trinder pulled off some top saves early in last week's clash against Hanwood before going down just before half-time with an ankle injury.

The experienced Trinder says he will most likely miss the showdown with Leeton.

"It's a week to week thing," Trinder said.

"I could play this weekend but I probably won't. I'll see what happens at training but seeming it's only the second game of the year, it's probably not worth it.

"I missed the 2018 grand final with it so there's no way I'm going to push it. It will be frustrating watching it if I can't get on."

Brad Yeomans, an experienced keeper from Canberra, replaced Trinder last weekend and is the man most likely to get the job. He started in the midfield last week but was able to fill in at keeper once Trinder went down.

The depth is part of a new-look Henwood Park squad, one that has Trinder excited about the season ahead.

"It's a different team this year, a new coach and a different style of football," he said.

"We've got a few injuries this week. It takes a couple of experienced players out but we've got some depth there that can come in and that are very keen to make first grade, which is good."

Trinder admitted Henwood Park's fast start, where they led 3-0 over Hanwood at half-time last week, caught him by surprise.

He believes the return of Jake Ploenges makes a huge difference to the Hawks.

"(Hanwood) peppered me the first half an hour. It was just our defence that kept us in it, which opened it up for our strikers," he said.

"That was the biggest difference from last year. We had a good side last year too but we just didn't have any finishers. We couldn't get the ball in the back of the net, which cost us in finals.

"Having Jake back, he can finish one, makes a big difference and the boys feed off that as well. That they've got a handy striker up there then gives them confidence as well."

Henwood Park will go into the road trip with confidence, but also wary of Leeton on their home turf.

Hawks coach Scott Elphick rates Leeton as the team to beat and the players are aware of how big of a game it shapes, even if it is only round two.

"It definitely is. Everyone loves playing Leeton and I think there is a bit more spice to it this year, with the Gardner boys lining up for them," Trinder said.

"We played them last year in the finals. They're a competitive side, well-drilled, well-coached and they just don't stop.

"Every game is going to be hard. There's going to be no easy games but this will be the biggest test so far for sure."

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