“The bye gave everybody a bit of time to heal a few battle wounds. The boys just needed to recover basically, just to get over the mid-season knocks,” he said.

“What I would envisage, if we play to our ability, would be a very close game here against Gunnedah.”

Bremner admitted history is not in the Highlanders’ favour when it comes to playing the Red Devils.

“We copped a hiding (by them) in the first round and then lost by six in the second, at the start of this top tier competition,” he said.

“They’re running fourth in the top tier and we’re running fifth, but it’s just a game I think, as I said, if we play to our ability, we can come away with the points.”

Bremner said it is mathematically possible for the Highlanders to leap-frog the Red Devils on the competition ladder, but said in reality is would be a big ask.

“Everything would have to go our way for that to happen,” he said.

“It’ll be tough for us to make the semi-finals at this stage. 

“From a club perspective it’s been all about a development year. Just rebuilding the numbers and the ethos in the club, and from that side of things it’s been hugely successful.”

Bremner said he has seen many new faces and from his coaching perspective that has been very pleasing.

“We’re a very young inexperienced team taking on some of the best country rugby teams in NSW,” he said.

“The top three in this competition would probably be in the top three in any competition in NSW, and we’re not letting ourselves down. Overall it’s been a pleasing result.”

Bremner said Highlanders supporters were fantastic for the strength of their loyalty.

“They come down and just know it’s a good atmosphere. It’s just a good family environment. The kids can run around and they know they’re safe.” Bremner said.

“There’s plenty of people keeping an eye on everybody, you know. We all sort of look after each other’s kids, which is a good thing.

“I’d just urge everybody to come down and see these young blokes play, and see how they are going ahead in leap and bounds.”