On a bitter day in Balwyn the Reserves carved out a gritty, hard-earned win stemming from tackling and pressure. The rain was blowing sideways which made clean possessions extremely difficult, but the team, which was boasting ten people playing their first Renegades match for the season and many of those their first game of footy, worked tirelessly in the difficult conditions.

Defenders would alternate between frantic pressure and tackling and repelling the footy and trying not to freeze in the rain, whilst at the other end many great marks and relentless forward pressure generated many opportunities on a low scoring day.

A great rotation of rucks and mids dug in for the hard ball all afternoon, midfielder Ori Aprico-Wister came off the field more grass clippings than jumper at one point after about ten tackles in five minutes. Play of the day was a textbook pick up, run on and kick from Lucy Stooke that set up a vital late goal.