Wollongong are determined to open their win account after Thursday night's 21-point loss to New Zealand and coach Eric Cooks said his team remained upbeat.

"Aside from Trigger (injured centre Cam Tragardh), everyone pulled up pretty well, and there's a confidence that we'll re-group quickly and put it together for four quarters against Sydney," he said.

Tonight's clash will mark 10 years for the Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre and forward Glen Saville is jumping out of his skin at the prospect of being back in a Hawks strip after a year with the Sydney Kings.

"It'll be particularly good to play that first game back at home," Saville said.

"There's a lot of significance there because it's the 10th anniversary of the Hawks playing at the WEC, it's the start of a new season, and hopefully we'll have as many people there as we can supporting the team."

Hawks fans will get to see off-season recruits Dusty Rychart, Anthony Petrie and Rhys Martin in action for the first time.

"Rhys gives us something probably none of the other guys gave us last year, just with some of the things he does with his sheer speed. It's the same with the bigs, with Petrie being versatile and Dusty's ability to get second shots," Cooks said.

"We had different guys lead the scoring on different nights in the pre-season and we'll be a hard team to scout. We won't have one designated man you can stop and beat us. We've got five guys who could give us 20 to 25 on any given night.

"One of the big things for us is that we need to play with physicality. We won't be the biggest team so we've got to play with big hearts."

The NBL's lone foundation club have planned a big welcoming party for their opening home game of the season and fans have been urged to make sure they give themselves ample time to find their seats.

"Hopefully we'll have everyone there by 7.30 sharp because we've got a few surprises for the crowd before the game and we don't want anyone to miss out," Hawks operations manager Jess Tory said.

A raffle will be held for a Boomers singlet donated by Beijing Olympian Saville, with proceeds going to the Illawarra under 14 team.

Ticket-sellers will be walking around the arena and the draw will be held at three-quarter time.