But Hawks co-coach Kellie Woolnough believed it could have been worse should the fixture had taken a different turn following a more-than-four-month COVID-19 layoff.

Waiting 212 days seemed reasonable to face reigning premiers Cavaliers after a 65-59 title defeat last August.

But the further 122 days since only added more of an expectation since the round-three match was postponed just hours before the Friday night hometown rematch.

"I look at things a little bit different," Woolnough said.

"If you want to go back to it, we'll only be back in round three again.

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"So it will be an opportunity to first see where we're at, see where they're at and to come up against the benchmark in round three again probably is a positive."

Woolnough had expected nothing less in the draw that came out in the same order of games, but with one less of a round-robin series that has reduced games from 18 to 12.

For the Hawks that started the season with two wins in the annual double-header in Hobart getting back on the court was all that mattered.

But expectations ahead of Friday's fixture release was focus on Cavaliers for July 24.

"I was going to say I really think the girls would be just as happy to play anybody first game," Woolnough said.

"The fact we have the [other] North team and obviously the reigning premiers, we are quite happy to play them."

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