Former Newcastle star Brad Tighe is giving back to his community as captain-coach of the Northern Hawks. But his motivation goes well beyond what happens on the footy field.

Northern Hawks Rugby League Club are bracing themselves for a tough assignment this week in the Newcastle Denton Engineering Cup series.

The rejuvenated Hawks face the challenging task of playing two matches in the space of four days after their second round fixture against Macquarie Scorpions last Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather.

Northern Hawks coach Brad Tighe has praised his team's fighting spirit after they pushed back-to-back premiers the Maitland Pickers going down 20-10 in Magic Round at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground.

Three Indigenous Knights players were enlisted by Port Stephens Police Commander (and Northern Hawks Trainer) Wayne Humphrey to meet a group of First Nations kids… and all involved couldn’t help but be moved, and inspired.

If Northern Hawks coach Brad Tighe needed an example for his young players of the importance of working as a team then they got it on Sunday on the back of a 32-6 hammering by the Maitland Pickers.

Northern Hawks president Andrew Chapman is confident the Hawks are on the same path to prolonged success as back-to-back Newcastle RL premiers the Maitland Pickers.

Northern Hawks player of the year Timanu Alexander has been named in the 26-man Newcastle Rebels representative team squad announced by coach Garth Brennan.