The Hawks will head to Barellan on Saturday without full-forward Jarrad Boumann, key defender Tim Smith, former captain Ben Absolum, second ruckman Caleb Wild and the in-form Jarrod Turner after a disastrous day at Gumly last weekend.

After their loss to Marrar, the medical updates weren't much solace. Turner, who played out the game to avoid leaving his teammates short, will be out for up to six weeks with a broken collarbone.

"He's fit and playing really good footy, so it is a blow," Hard said.

Boumann and Absolum will both miss a month with hamstring injuries. Worryingly, Absolum was returning from a hamstring injury and Boumann from a hip complaint.

Smith (ankle, 1-2 weeks) and Wild (knee, 1 week) fared better in the fallout, cleared of serious damage.

"They're five big outs but I think we're well-placed," Hard said.

The Hawks have big man Nick Hull, defender Trent Garner and in-form youngster Ryan Bourne coming back in while recruit Kieren McCarthy and Connor Quade are also in the mix.

"We've got some quality out but we've got some quality ins. We've just got to make sure we don't risk anyone who's not right," Hard said.

After their only other loss, against The Rock-Yerong Creek in round one, the Hawks bounced back brilliantly to beat arch-rivals North Wagga. Despite the personnel changes, Hard is hoping to see more of the same this week.

However, they're well aware they can expect a battle at Barellan. The Hawks had a draw there last time, in 2019, and the Two Blues are keen to "knock off a few big dogs" after opening their account at Temora.

"A hundred per cent it is (a danger game). They're on the right track and chasing a scalp so it's an in-the-trenches, roll-the-sleeves up scenario," Hard said.

"It's a great challenge for our footy club. I believe we've got the depth to cover such losses. But I guess it'll be put to the test won't it."

Marrar taught the Hawks a little about hunger and energy last weekend but the injuries didn't help.

Smith and Wild went down in the first few minutes of the game. Boumann, Absolum and Turner were hurt in the third quarter but Turner and Smith returned to try to play roles up forward and keep 18 men on the ground.

"I thought Marrar probably outplayed us and they were just a bit hungrier from the outset so that was the disappointing thing from my perspective," Hard said.

"I thought we had a heap of forward entries in the last quarter and we had opportunities there but when you've got two blokes that can't move, it makes it very hard.

"I'm not saying we would've won the game but I don't think the gap would've been as large."

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