The Melbourne Renegades may often lie in the shadow of the larger and generally more dominant shadow of the Melbourne Stars. But the resolute, red brigade have the one thing their cross-town rivals don't. And that's a Big Bash trophy.
Their first grand triumph came in BBL|08 against their fellow Victorian rivals. With the Stars cruising to what seemed to be their first championship with 53 runs to win and 10 wickets in hand, the Renegades abruptly flipped the script to precipitate a stunning collapse of 7-19 and snatch an epic finals victory.
Six seasons after the club's BBL breakthrough under the captaincy of Sophie Molineux, the Renegades claimed their maiden WBBL trophy in WBBL|11: a triumph made all the more special after a last-placed finish the season before and the shock absence of Josie Dooley, who sat out the title-winning campaign after suffering a stroke in the off-season.
It's been that steely knack to defy the odds has since become a core part of the club's identity, with the overcoming of adversity and underdog mentality being fundamental to both successes.
The Melbourne Renegades have been involved in plenty of classic matches over the years, however the Melbourne Derbies against the Stars have been the pinnacle, producing moments both heated and enthralling to split the city of Melbourne clean in two.
A famous mid-pitch stoush between the late legend Shane Warne and West Indian Marlon Samuels was the first incident to light the fuse in the highly anticipated Melbourne Derby fixtures. Then came Adam Zampa's attempted mankad on Tom Rogers in BBL|12, and then most recently a last-over six from captain Will Sutherland rocked the MCG as the 'Gades again triumphed against the odds.
The Renegades have also fielded two Australian skippers who have arguably been the club's most defining players: opening extraordinaire and fearless captain Aaron Finch and current women's skipper and 'Gades stalwart, Sophie Molineux.