In what is expected to be an intriguing matchup, nobody knows what to expect from either side.

The Highlanders have a young and energetic squad, who will no doubt take on the gritty, give-no-quarter mentality of head coach John Sykes.

Meanwhile, the Roos have been busy recruiting over the extended off-season, with incoming coach Paul Loughhead and his sons, Cooper and Bayley, headlining the new-look side.

"I think I've got 22 players on the books so we've recruited well this year and Gunning sort of haven't gone really well in the last couple of years, they've had a couple of hidings," Loughhead told Canberra Region Rugby League.

"This year we are really looking at turning things around and we're not going to be out there just to play in the comp and fill up numbers as the fourth team, we're striving to actually win the competition."

Sykes, on the other hand, is paying no mind to the Roos' poor record in recent years.

"They're going to be tough," Sykes said. "I refereed a lot of Gunning games and they're always tough out there, lots of farm boys.

"Gunning are going to be a great challenge up front, because they're going to be tough. I want to see how me measure up when the cards are on the table.

"Let's measure ourselves against an established team. They're known for being tough, and let's see how we stack up."

Along with their reputation for toughness, Loughhead said what drew him to Gunning was the family atmosphere.

"It's really good, and for our family too it'll bring us all closer together and for Cooper and Bayley to be able to play in the same team together it's a really good opportunity for them," he said.

"I think it's really good for our club as well because when I went out there I said I wanted to create a family culture and leading from the front with me coaching and both my sons playing there it will be really good for the club and the George Tooke competition too I think."

They will face a stern challenge in the Highlanders. Sykes has filled the gaps in the makeup of his team, and expects his players to play fluid football.

"We know what we want to do," he said. "We want to be the standout team in our comp, we want to play expansive football. We're going to play eyes up footy, if we think it's on we'll have a crack.

"We're going to play what's in front of us, and I think there's a good opportunity in the George Tooke to play like that, because my experience tells me there's plenty of opportunity to exploit a not-so-solid defensive structure."

The Goulburn Highlanders will take on the Gunning Roos at North Park this Sunday, July 26, from 2pm.

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