Hawks' ex-Cavalier Lydia Coote (ankle) and Cavaliers' ex-Hawk Zoe Claridge (shoulder) will miss this weekend's double-headers as the two Northern sides look to lock in top-two spots.

Completing the first two rounds of fixtures with a drawn derby as their only blemish, the Hawks are feeling refreshed ahead of clashes with Karana and Kingston.

"I think the break came at a really good time for us," skipper Gemma Poke said.

"We had a couple of injuries and had to recruit Courtney Treloar as well, so I think we were all ready for a rest away from striving to get better ... it was the perfect time for a brain break."

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The Hawks have enjoyed comprehensive wins in their previous clashes with Kingston and Karana this year, with the latter still yet to taste victory this season.

Poke said the Hawks' past decade was proof that a side like the Flames could turn around their fortunes sooner rather than later.

"We've been there as well.

"People forget that as the Hawks, and we were Northern Saints before this, we've been in that position where we haven't been able to win a game and we've been struggling to get a licence.

"This successful period that the club's been in is really only quite recent, so it's really important to respect everyone you play and we completely understand Karana's position."

After a three-week training block that included swim sessions and a basketball game, Dannie Carstens' Cavaliers are preparing to meet Karana and Cripps Waratah.

Cavs were made to earn a 50-42 win over third-placed Waratah when the two sides met before the break, having enjoyed a 27-goal margin earlier in the year.

"There's certainly some things we need to improve on - especially against Cripps," Carstens said.

"We probably threw away far too much ball and we want to be known for having possession netball and being really patient with it."

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Carstens said her side was missing Claridge's composure, but backed her squad to fill the gaps.

"We've got such great cattle in Estelle Margetts who can swing both ends and Deanna Wadley who's doing a superb job on limited training being in the police academy," she said.

"As a team we need to be much more composed and prepared to work the ball, particularly in their defensive end with someone like Alex Vinen ... she's got arms that go on forever, so we don't want to play into her hands."

Round 15 - Saturday

Round 16 - Sunday