Tomlinson has been impressed with the way the Hawks' playing group have dealt with adversity throughout this season and he'd like third-placed Cardiff to keep hold of that attitude in an elimination semi against sixth-placed Warners Bay at Maitland's Max McMahon Oval.

"Our group have been unflappable," Tomlinson told the Newcastle Herald.

"Whatever's happened, they've just got on with it."

Tomlinson said he was pleased to again have Jared Campbell, Marcus Deleur and Tim Keys at his disposal after various stints on the sidelines.

"It's one [player] on every line, which helps across the park," the Cardiff mentor said.

READ MORE: Proposals for new AFL Hunter Central Coast competition structures in 2020

Warners Bay will be bolstered by the return of Matthew Spinks, Riley Warner and Zach Symons, however, the Bulldogs are down Ryan Sorenson and Nicholas Turner.

In Saturday's second Black Diamond Cup elimination semi-final and fourth-placed Killarney Vale tackle fifth-placed Singleton at Muswellbrook's Weeraman Field.

Killarney Vale welcome back Ryan Barrett, Kyall Walford and Dillon Stevens but remain without long-term injured players Jordan Canobie, James Kidd and Ben Simpson. Former Bombers captain-coach Scott Reed is also unavailable.

Singleton, who are likely missing Mitchell Gaffney, Luke Davis and Richard Wilkes, have won seven of their last eight appearances.

As the top two teams Terrigal Avoca, who claimed a third straight minor premiership in 2019, and defending champions Newcastle City have this weekend off.

In the AFL Hunter Central Coast women's competition and Saturday's do-or-die encounters see Wyong Lakes meet Cardiff at Max McMahon Oval while Newcastle City clash with Terrigal Avoca at Muswellbrook. Minor premiers Killarney Vale and second-placed Maitland won't enter the play-offs until next weekend.

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