Kangaroos give Billy Reardon his chance to shine

The Temora product was given a late call up to come off the bench in the Wagga side's 20-12 loss to Junee last week.

He put on a lovely ball to help get the side on the board after a whirlwind lead up.

After playing in the Weissel Cup, Reardon was asked to back up and make his debut after a couple of injuries in reserve grade.

He was then thrust onto the field when fellow debutant Ned Cooper needed treatment on a bloodied nose.

The teenager was just pleased to get an opportunity.

"I didn't expect it here, I was just happy playing under 18s," Reardon said.

The son of former Canterbury player Steve Reardon linked with Kangaroos after Temora elected not to play this season.

The Temora High School school student just wanted to play football but is enjoying his time with the Wagga club.

"It's been good and there is a good culture," Reardon said.

"There wasn't anything going in Temora so I wanted to come over and give it a go."

Reardon has retained his place on the bench as Kangaroos face a tough test against Gundagai at Equex Centre on Saturday.

Captain-coach Hayden Ashcroft has named an unchanged line up after Hayden Jolliffe's shoulder injury was found to be worse than first thought.

After another tight loss, Ashcroft wants the side to keep competing.

"I think we just need to add a bit of pressure early on," Ashcroft said. "I imagine they would have a mindset in terms of that they are going to come out and roll over us pretty easily so we need to build a bit of scoreboard pressure and from last week capitalise better and be willing to grind in games.

"We can't afford to play like we did against a side like Gundagai or they will put 40 on us.

"It is a good test for us and we're looking to improve each week as a club and as a team. It is a great opportunity for us as a young side to see where we need to be at if we want to be matching it with the best.

"We got within six of Tumut, and they had a draw with Gundagai, so it is possible."

However he has been pleased with how the young side has been developing, including Reardon.

"We're looking to create a pathway for our young fellas and he went well last week," Ashcroft said.

"We want to keep tapping into that and giving them the opportunity and the exposure."

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