READING Kangaroos started of their 2018 season last Saturday as they took part in the annual curtain-raiser, the AFL London Pre-Season Cup in Chiswick, writes Timmy Birchall.

The Roos were drawn in Pool A along with top London sides North London Lions and South East London Giants and fielding a number of new players, knew they would have their work cut out to emerge from the group.

Their first game against the Lions started as expected with their forward line kicking two early goals but the Roos team responded right away with goals from Ben Newton and Andy Whiteaker which left the scores level at the half time break.

The second half was a tight affair, with the Lions kicking and early goal and, even though the Roos pushed late and created chances, they just had a behind to show for their efforts and lost 3-0 (18) to 2-1 (13).

The experience of the first game seemed to stand to the Roos in the second game as they dominated possession against the Giants in another tight game.

They failed to convert their territorial advantage into goals, though only had two behinds to their name at half time, whilst holding the Giants scoreless.

The turning point came just after half time as totally against the run of play, the Giants won possession from the ball up, went up the field and kicked the game’s only goal to give them a lead they would not surrender.

Two narrow defeats against clubs from higher leagues and a number of new players blooded over the day was a relatively successful outcome for the Reading side.

The Roos open their league season on Saturday, May 12 in Peckham.