The Wagga side scored their first top five this season after surprising the Blues at Equex Centre and face another tough against Albury at the same venue on Sunday.

The Thunder became the first team to get the better of Gundagai last week but the young playmaker hopes Brothers have been able to finally turn around a slow start to the season.

"I think we're starting to play a lot better footy now," McLachlan said.

"The win against Tumut is a boost to our confidence so hopefully we can do out there and do it again against Albury."

McLachlan made the switch back to Brothers this season following two years at Kangaroos.

The 21-year-old has made the six jumper his own this season and is relishing the move.

"I'm enjoying it," McLachlan said.

"It has been good and I was a junior there so it wasn't daunting or anything.

"A lot of good mates are still there so it has been good."

He's already played plenty of junior footy with the likes of Liam Carey, Connor McCauley and Nick Hay which has made the transition easier.

McLachlan also has the experience of Peter Little and Cameron Breust to call upon.

He believes it's helped transform his game this season and play better football.

"I think it comes from enjoying it more," McLachlan said.

"Having Pete out there helps.

"He's playing extremely well this year, leading from the front, which has been good."

With three wins and a draw to their credit so far Brothers are a win outside the top five, and one of five teams within five points of the last finals position.

They've been on the end of some heavy losses, including a 40-16 to the Thunder in round two, but McLachlan believes a 46-6 loss to Southcity two weeks ago had a big affect on the club.

"After that Southcity loss we all come together and had a good look ourselves," he said. "We knew the performances we were putting in weren't good enough.

"It brought us closer and now we're playing the footy we need to be there at the end of the year."

Brothers welcome back Brayden Sharrock for the clash while Albury are still without coach Adrian Purtell.

McLachlan is confident a win over the Thunder will put them in a great position going forward.

"If we can get the win against Albury it puts us in a pretty good position for that finals spot as we have a pretty good run after that," he said.

"Obviously they are coming off a pretty good win as well so with two teams coming off good wins it will be a tough game but I think we're in a good position for this weekend.

"Our training and the way we've been playing lately puts us in the best position possible to win."

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