In a rematch of last year's preliminary final, the Tigers continued their unbeaten start to the year with a 38-20 win over the still winless Wagga side.

A draw with Kangaroos is all Brothers have to show from the first five rounds of the season and it could have been worse.

The Tigers led 20-4 at half-time and scored the three of the next four to really take the game away from Brothers.

Gundagai have been guilty of switching off in their games so far and coach Adam Perry thought they were once again patchy.

"We were a little bit up and down," Perry said.

"We were good in patches, poor in patches but it was a win.

"We did what we had to do but didn't set the world on fire."

Perry thought the side switched off when the scoreline got to 38-10 but Brothers also started to use the ball better and put in a much better performance in the second half.

Coach Peter Little scored a double for Brothers but it wasn't enough.

Mathew Lyons scored a hat-trick for the Tigers while the departing James Smart put in another strong game.

Perry wouldn't reveal how he plans to tackle the absence of the premiership-winning captain-coach but is confident the squad has to depth to do so.

"He's not only a good player but he leads the way with his professionalism at training," Perry said.

"He trains hard, is the fittest bloke, rips in every single session and is always thinking about ways we can be better.

"We will miss him but we've got a good squad.

"We will have to adjust, do what we can do and hopefully we are in a good position when he gets back."

As for Brothers they also added injury to the insulting scoreline with Nick Hay and Jackson Newling both not returning to the field after leg problems.

They will be desperate to score their first win of the season against fellow winless side Cootamundra on Sunday while Gundagai host Temora at Anzac Park.

Perry is confident there is plenty of improvement in his side which could be an ominous sign for their rivals.

"It is only early in the season and I don't think it (the ladder) means too much at this stage," he said.

"We've all played different sides and I don't focus too much on the ladder but I'm more worried about ourselves and focusing on the areas we need to improve on.

"We have to make sure we playing well at the right end of the end."

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