Coach Phil Adamson said his boys will head into Sunday's away clash against competition front-runners the Macleay Valley Mustangs with momentum on their side.

"It's been building," he said.

"I think we've got the self-belief now.

"You've got to beat sides like these."

After a patchy first half of the season, Adamson believed the tide had been turning for the Hawks in recent weeks.

He pointed to their round eight 66-8 loss to Wingham as a disappointing game that nonetheless contained some positives.

Despite falling apart in the second half and letting in 44 unanswered points, a severely-depleted Hawks squad was able to match it with their more-fancied rivals in the first half and headed into the dressing rooms a chance of causing an upset.

"It was a loss we needed," Adamson admitted.

Their win over Port City last week was a step in the right direction, as was the fact many of the team's key players were back to full health.

Now ranked equal fifth and with a semi-final berth in reach, they're aiming to really hit their stride in the coming weeks.

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Key to this will be cutting down on the amount of sin-binnings they've incurred over the course of the season, with pivotal players Matt Wakefield and Keda Moylan both given time in the bin last week.

"It's something we've talked about," Adamson said.

"I've pulled the players aside and explained to them it's not a sign of toughness, it's a sign of stupidity."

Overall, the coach is happy with the culture that's building at the Hawks, believing they'll be a strong club for the next few seasons.

He's also pleased with the form of some of his men, pointing to Riley Glover, Jakey Collins and Corey Eason as players who are really hitting their straps.

Heading to Kempsey this weekend as underdogs he knows the Hawks will be up against it.

But win or lose, it's the run of games beyond Sunday's clash that he sees as the team's real opportunity to make their mark, believing Taree City, Old Bar and Port Macquarie are all sides they can account for.

If he's right, they should finish fourth on the ladder and find themselves hosting the elimination semi-final on Saturday, August 3.

It goes without saying, this would be an ideal outcome.

"We're in the fight," Adamson said.

"It's in our hands now."

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