Two of the first three rounds of the year were impacted by heavy rain, so much so that last weekend's match was cancelled outright after the Goulburn Mulwaree Council closed North Park.

However, with a 22-14 win over Gunning in round one and a 74-0 win over the Burranjong Bears in round two, Sykes is extremely happy with how the team is progressing.

"The beauty of it is I've got so many good kids, I've got seven reserves and if I throw them on, we don't lose anything," Sykes said.

"They're all tough kids, I've got a roster from one to 20 with the same ability."

The only disappointment of the season so far for Sykes was that the Highlanders didn't get the chance to play the Bungendore Tigers on Sunday, who are shaping up to be the team to beat in 2020.

The Highlanders are currently on top of the ladder, with two wins from two matches, and Bungendore are a close second with the same win ratio. The only difference is ten points on their for-and-against scores.

"We really wanted to play Bungendore last weekend to see where we're at, because we're both similar teams," Sykes said. "Now we've got to go two rotations of the comp before we play again.

"If we win our next two games and they do as well, it's effectively a two-horse race.

"I think they're going to be physical. I think it's just the physicality with both sides [which will be the difference], I think we're both evenly matches in terms of talent."

That being said, Sykes is not overlooking this weekend's clash against Gunning. The last time the two teams played, they produced an immensely physical clash in wet, muddy conditions.

This time around, with the forecast looking more promising, Sykes expects a faster and more thrilling game.

"Hopefully we'll play on a dry pitch this weekend, because we played in pretty bad conditions last time," he said.

"There was a lot of bash and barge in the first game, but I think both teams are looking to throw it around a bit in the dry."

As the newest team in the George Tooke Shield this season, the Burranjong Bears have struggled in the first three rounds.

Following the Highlanders' 74-0 win over the Bears in round two, Sykes praised the performances of several key players.

"Lachie Sykes scored four tries, Max Flack scored three, Scotty Boughton kicked ten goals, and Angus Marshall - he was great through the centre," Sykes said.

"Angus got Players' Player, I think he got it in both games so he's going really well at hooker. Lachlan, Angus and Max really put the sword to Burranjong."

The offensive potential of Flack and Sykes, along with Marshall's level-headed impact, provide the Highlanders with strength in all departments of the game.

"They've both got big futures, those kids," Sykes said. "To have someone like Angus in the middle of the field and Flackie out wide, along with Lachie, they're all good young talents."

The Gordon Highlanders will play the Gunning Roos at North Park this Sunday, August 16, from 3pm.

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