Newcastle rugby: Fab five chasing fifth title for Hawks

No doubts, the wall in the dressing shed at Passmore Oval would have fewer paper clippings and other memorabilia celebrating premiership success

Steve Lamont, Joe Akkersdyke, Peter Bakarich, Sireli Bainivalu and Fiso Vasegote are gunning for their fifth straight premiership when the Hawks take on Wanderers at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.

Victory would give captain Lamont seven titles, Akkersdyk six. Throw in Pete Maxwell, Geraint Weaver, Chris Nagy and Tiueti Asi and you have the core of a seemingly unstoppable force.

"They have been the core of the side for a number of years now," Coleman said. "People tend to talk about our imports, but we only have 10 PPS points in the starting side for the grand final. We have five players going for five premierships in a row and for some of them it's their sixth and seventh. They play footy for this time of the year. You see it at training, they lift a gear.

"Tuesday night was the best session we have had all year by far. For a coach there is nothing more pleasing than having the players lead the enthusiasm rather than me barking at them."

Each of the five players bring something different.

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Since joining the Hawks in 2008, Lamont has been central to their success.

If they need a big hit, Lamont supplies it. A tough carry, he sticks his hand up. Turnover, you know who.

The hooker-turned breakaway has come back from a broken arm and a fractured eye socket to lift the premiership trophy. In 2016, he collected the Hipwell Medal for man of the match in the decider. Daylight second.

"He is a big-game player," Coleman said. "He is born for the hard stuff and lifts another peg in the big games."

Coleman, who has masterminded premiership wins in 2008, 2010, 2012 and the last four, had equal praise for Akkersdyk, Bakarich, Bainivalu and Vasegote.

"Joey was only young when he came to us in 2012 and was very raw," Coleman said. "He has grown into an out-and-out champion player and champion bloke.

"Baka takes every little challenge personally. He is quite easy to motivate. I often make things up to get him going. He has really grown into the team. He was a bit of an odd bod for ages. Now he is one of our leaders.

"Sireli has scored some big tries in grand finals. One against Wanderers two years ago shaped the result.

"Fiso is different again. He is a class above this competition but is just happy cruising along. He is pretty laidback in his lifestyle. Get him on the field and he thrives. He goes from zero to red-line in an instant. He does fitness but he won't exert himself. However, if we make it competitive and introduce a footy, look out. On the GPS tracker, he clocks up the most kilometres but you need a football to get him to run."

Coleman and his leaders are also aware that premierships are earned.

"Each grand final is a new one, you have to prepare differently," Lamont said.

"Yes we have played Wanderers a few times now. They have a different team to what they had a couple of years ago. We have a few new combinations.

"We have looked at their team and identified what they can do. We certainly won't be taking them lightly.

"We need to execute well in attack and in defence. They have some real speed out wide and if they jump on the ball, they are dangerous. From 12 through to 15, they have some wheels. Any loose carries or opportunities, they can turn into points pretty quickly. We need to make sure we limit our errors.

"When it comes to big games, each player finds that little bit extra."