If you can't beat them join them approach.

The Hawks have won five straight premierships and featured in every grand final bar one since 2010.

Their success has been largely forged by an uncompromising pack and game plan designed to suck the life out of the opposition.

It starts with a dominant scrum and from there the Hawks apply pressure across the park.

"We fell into a trap for a number of years of trying to play their style. That is not the personnel we have," Lind said.

Merewether take on an unbeaten Hamilton at Passmore Oval on Saturday.

The Greens have piled on 204 points and conceded just 27 in three wins to start the Hunter Rugby Union season.

They have played almost in fast forward, recycling possession and getting the ball to their speed men on the edges before the opposition has had time to blink

Twenty-two of their 30 tries have been scored by the backs.

Playmakers Sam Bright (foot) and Tom Smith (unavailable) will be missing against the Hawks.

In their place come debutants Jack McGregor (fly-half) and Brent Gibson (outside centre), but that won't impact on the Greens' approach.

"The guys coming in are well up to speed with what we are doing," Lind said. "The top two grades train together a lot. Players are always being pulled in and out of the system.

"We are trying to play an expansive game. To have those two inside backs who can shift the ball is part of what we are doing. We haven't brought blokes in who don't subscribe to that."

Though looking to shift the ball, Lind knows they need to get their hands on the pill first.

Prop Phil Ryan and back-rower Lachy Miller return from suspension in a boost to the pack.

"Hamilton still have a strong scrum. That is in their DNA," Lind said. "They may have lost players here and there and to the Wildfires. That is where they have that consistency.

"We have been more than competitive in the set piece. You have to be competitive in those areas. Let's get through that and do what we want to do."

Hamilton's new coach, former All Black Marty Berry, has also brought a shift in thinking at the Hawks, which is not dissimilar to what is happening at Townson Oval.

"I like everyone to get their hands on the ball," Berry said. "The less rucks you have the less penalties you give away generally, but you still have to have structure.

"I want them to be a balanced side really.

"We have a bit of experience in the forward pack - Pete Bakarich, Geraint Weaver, Gareth Tilse, Tom Couple. Jack Chillingworth came off the bench for us. You don't want to chuck the ball around willy-nilly when you have guys like that. You want to be balanced about it."

The Hawks are coming of a 43-0 win over University.

"Our scrum was really dominant and the ball handling was good last week," Berry said. "The off-loads and the stuff we have been working on is going well.

"We are not the finished product by any stretch of the imagination. There was a lot of dropped balls and lineouts not quite right that we can improve on. We are heading in the right direction.

"It is going to be a good game. I know they are really fast and move it side to side."

Elsewhere Saturday, Singleton will be hunting their first win when they host University, Wanderers are at home for the first time against Maitland and Nelson Bay travel to Lake Macquarie.