Sydney host the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday when the Sky Blues are hoping to break their regular-season attendance record at Leichhardt Oval by getting more than 4,458 through the gates.
Ante Juric's side, who have won the last two championships, sit bottom of the table after two rounds following back-to-back defeats to Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
Sydney have undergone a significant off-season overhaul, underlined by the fact Hawkesby is one of just three starters from the loss to Brisbane who started in last season's grand-final win.
But despite their rough start, Hawkesby is confident the Sky Blues can play their way into form against the Wanderers.
"We went through a bit of hardship with injuries and it's part of football, you can't win easily every single game," Hawkesby told AAP.
"We've got a winning culture at Sydney and we've brought in some excellent players, and we just have to find a chemistry within the team and that's happening everyday at training.
"I think Ante fosters a great culture and while it's not the greatest start to the season we don't have our heads down one bit, it's full steam ahead for us."
Sydney have won eight of their last nine games against the Wanderers and haven't conceded a single goal in that same time span.
"The derby is huge for us," Hawkesby said.
"It's my favourite game of the year and I think we're all buzzing to be playing at home and hopefully put in a strong performance.
"We have the edge over them statistics-wise but it's about whoever shows up on the day."
The Sydney derby is one of three games on Saturday, with table-topping Melbourne City hosting the Mariners and Adelaide on the road to face unbeaten Canberra.
Winless Wellington travel to fellow strugglers Newcastle while Melbourne Victory face Western United in Sunday's two matches.
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