The AFP side, who the Dirty Reds were initially slated to play, was forced to pull out at the last minute due to a lack of numbers, and Goulburn responded by changing to format from a tens match to a sevens, while some of the male Dirty Reds players offered their services. 

So, the players took to the field for a number of 10 minute matches, half wearing yellow jerseys and half wearing pink. 

The games marked the first time that many of the players present had taken the field for a rugby union match, and Dirty reds womens co-coach Ash Kara said that she was thrilled with what she saw. 

“I think today was a big success, and the right stepping stone for the beginning of the season,” Kara said. 

“The girls gave it 100%, which is what I wanted, they weren’t holding back, and I’m proud of them.”

The biggest challenge for many when transitioning into a high-impact sport like rugby union is being prepared to take and dish out big hits, which is something that Kara wanted to see from her side on Saturday.

“A lot of girls run hard at each other at training, but to get that big first hit and the shock of the hit, they build their resilience up straight away from that,” she said.