Rising goalkeeper James McDermott can expect a fierce welcome at Rawlings Park when the Sharks tackle the premiers, who put nine goals past South Wagga last week.

Lake Albert's veteran 'keeper Hayden Callander is out for up to four weeks after a hip flexor injury in last week's loss to Tolland. Coach Mitch Tinnock said McDermott deserves the opportunity.

"He's a young bloke coming up, he's been playing second and third grade but he played one or two first grade games last year when 'H' was away," Tinnock said.

"He's been training really well and put the commitment in so I'm excited to give him an opportunity in there. He's really keen too."

The Sharks are also without winger Liam Bryder who had two yellow cards last week and cops the automatic one week suspension.

"I haven't confirmed who'll come in yet, probably one of the young lads who have been training well. I like to give the young lads an opportunity. We've got a good crop coming through so the more chances we give them the quicker they'll improve and get up to that first grade speed," Tinnock said.

If the focus is the future, the past is never far away. The Sharks had two draws in the home-and-away season against Hanwood last year before two narrow losses in finals.

"We were neck and neck last year and even the two losses we had in finals were very close losses, one goal, so we had a pretty good rivalry going with them," Tinnock said.

"They're a big, professional club. They've got good players. Everything they do is well-run and well-organised so it's always good playing against those teams and try to get that scalp under your belt.

"It's definitely something we highlight on the calendar. I think it's going to be different line-ups from the grand final for both teams but it's still a grand final rematch so it's going to be fiery out there. There's going to be a bit of passion.

"I'm expecting a pretty pumped up Hanwood side to come over and show they're still the dominant force."

Both sides have had a win and a loss to start the season. While Hanwood went down to Henwood Park before their big win against South Wagga, the Sharks have had a 2-0 win over Tumut before a 2-0 loss to Tolland.

"We were a bit unlucky. A couple of their goals were a bit soft. Unfortunately poor old 'H' in goals didn't have his best outing, with his injury affecting him physically and mentally. And we had a goal disallowed for offside which would've made it 1-all and I thought it was borderline so things didn't fall our way," Tinnock said.

"It wasn't the end of the world, we've just got to get back in there and get going again. I'm not too disappointed. And Tolland have recruited pretty well and they're a bit better than last season as well."

Given a host of off-season changes, Tinnock was pleased with their opening round win against Tumut two weeks ago, believing they moved the ball around well for two first-half goals before locking the game down.