The Hawks ran away with the second half to win 40-22 after the scores were locked at 10-10 at the break.

"It was like we didn't come out in the second half. It was just like last year,'' Northam said recalling the Bulls failure to close out games in 2014.

"It's not a fitness thing - it's an attitude thing.

"I felt sorry for the blokes out there who busted their arse.''

Northam agreed the side's defence down the left was deplorable in the second half.

"They scored five tries down our left. I don't know what the problem was but I'll get into the dressing sheds and find out what it was,'' he said.

Northam wouldn't elaborate if he was considering changes for Taree's next game in a fortnight. The Bulls have the bye next weekend.

"I'll see how we get through this one first,'' he said.

Northam added that it was even more frustrating considering Taree had the better of the first half.

"We were on top - we were in the grind. But we just didn't come out in the second half.''

Like his Forster-Tuncurry counterpart Troy Hilder, Northam agreed the try to Hawks centre Chris Simon against the run of play was a telling factor.

"We were attacking and kicked on the fourth tackle and they score. We went away from our game plan,'' he said.

FORSTER-Tuncurry's Troy Hilder started his first grade coaching stint in the best possible way when he oversaw his side's commanding 44-22 win over Taree City in the Group Three Rugby League game at the Jack Neal Oval.

Hilder took over the reins of the Hawks this year. He was particuarly pleased with the effort of lock Daniel Benson, who was playing his comeback game with the club.

"Daniel's a good player,'' Hilder noted at fulltime.

"I haven't seen him play since he left the area. He ended up playing in the feeder club for South Sydney - he was with Norths for a couple of years.

"But every time he touched the ball today he looked like a dangerman. Daniel's going to be a big bonus for us.''

Hilder is also happy to have front rowers and brothers Matt and Ben Kirkland on deck.

"You can't beat having size in the side,'' Hilder said.

"In other years we've probably been a bit unlucky in that we didn't have any big boppers. So having a couple this year is very handy.''

Hilder said his side's form was mixed in the first half.

"We were probably a bit up and down in the first half but everything fell into place in the second half,'' Hilder said.

"There were a couple of things we did in the first half that went away from the game plan. We were lucky to be 10-10 with them at halftime.''

Hilder agreed that the try scored by Chris Simon just before halftime was crucial. There was an element of luck about the four pointer, a fact Hilder readily agreed.

"But then in saying that Josh (McCartney) kicked the ball and Bridgie (Todd Bridge) caught it and ran 80 metres too. So it was a bit tit for tat.''

Simon started in the centre but these days is better known as a back rower. Hilder said that's where he'll play this year.

"Backhoe (Simon) is just plugging a hole for us at the moment,'' he said.

"I have another centre coming. Backhoe's a backrower and that's where he'll end up.''

Hilder said there's nothing better than to start the season with a win.

"There'll be a few sore and sorry blokes tomorrow. But to get off to a start like that is going to build a bit of character and confidence in the side," he said.