McLachlan stars as Brothers return to winning formula

After tasting defeat for the first time last week, the Wagga club scored 26 unanswered points to reel in a fast-starting Young outfit to bring up their fourth win of the season at Equex Centre on Sunday.

Nic Hall completed a hat-trick within the first 24 minutes to help Young to a 18-6 lead.

However Brothers continued to fight back.

McLachlan sliced through to score with five minutes left in the half before a penalty goal after the half-time siren saw them head into the break four points adrift.

From there they gave the Cherrypickers very few chances in the second stanza.

Captain-coach Cameron Breust was thrilled with their performance to take a 32-18 victory.

"Apart from Gundagai it was probably the first time we've had our backs against the wall," Breust said.

"They were on top of us in the first half but the second half was great.

"We got ourselves out of trouble, controlled the game and it was really, really pleasing to see."

McLachlan proved to be the difference as he orchestrated Brothers' attack including scoring a crucial try while Young had Inoke Vuniopola sin-binned midway through the second half.

Breust could not have been more impressed with the playmaker.

"Dylan was fantastic," Breust said.

"Without him we definitely don't win the game.

"It is one of the best individual performances that I've seen in a long time.

"It was like he had spiders on his back and he looked like Johnathan Thurston today - honestly he killed it."

Defensively Breust was pleased with the way the team responded after the early exploits of Hall.

"We kept them scoreless in the second half and I think that is the most pleasing thing," he said.

"To bounce back after a loss to Gundagai was really good."

However the win wasn't without some negatives.

Liam Carey only lasted six minutes after copping a high shot from Mick Dodson while Breust didn't play out the game in his return from a calf complaint.

Brothers remain in third place while Young sit sixth after a third straight loss.

For and against is all that separates Young, Junee and Southcity in the race for fourth spot.

Young faces their two rivals and last-placed Kangaroos in the last three rounds.

All are at Alfred Oval and they welcome Josh McCrone into the side to tackle Kangaroos.

READ MORE