The Seagulls defeated the Scorpions 19-12 when they met in the season-opener at Belmont.

Macquarie's football secretary Stephen Woodbridge said lessons were learned from that loss.

"We learned that we need to control the ball against Lakes," he said.

"If we can do that, it will give us a good chance of winning because we know we can score tries."

Woodbridge said Lakes had recruited well, and their outside backs pose a constant threat.

Macquarie needs to be on high defensive alert, particularly from broken play and kick chases.

"Everyone just needs to concentrate for the full 80 minutes," he said.

The Scorpions are coming off a 32-22 win over Kurri Kurri on Sunday at Lyall Peacock Field.

The match was something of a grand final for the visitors who are in danger of losing touch with the semi-finals.

"As a result, Kurri came out with a lot of intensity and led 12-0," Woodbridge said.

Tries to Macquarie's Teason Fa'Avae-Eli and winger Mitch Manson levelled the scores at halftime.

The match was in the balance at 22-all midway through the second stanza, before tries by winger Matt Hay and hooker Chris Hyde saw the home team skip away.

"Our defence was a huge improvement on the game against Maitland where we missed too many one-on-one tackles," Woodbridge said.

The Scorpions plan to build on that growing defensive resolve on Saturday.

Hyde, young prop Matt Geoffrey, and Manson were among Macquarie's best in the Kurri game.

Kick off in the first grade game at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday is at 3pm.

■ Macquarie Scorpions second-rower Josh Schmiedel has been selected for NSW Country to tour Fiji in October. He was a late call-up for the Newcastle squad at the Country Championship.