In a fierce contest between two round-one losers, the Bulldogs clung on to win 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) at MyJet Oval.

Momentum fluctuated throughout the final three quarters of the game.

After an even opening term, the Bloods gained the ascendancy during the second term when they kicked four goals to one to lead by 15 points at half-time as an upset loomed.

But the Bulldogs rallied and after kicking just three goals for the first half, slammed on seven in the third term as they took the upper hand to lead by 18 points at three quarter-time.

However, the Bloods refused to wilt and dominated the final term, but missed several late chances as the Bulldogs hung on by one point, while South Bendigo was consigned to its first 0-2 start to a season since 2005.

"We didn't know a lot about South Bendigo because they had a lot of new players, but they were well drilled and gave us a real contest," Golden Square coach Nick Carter said.

"They had the momentum in the second quarter and we needed to have a bit of a reality check at half-time and re-set ourselves.

"The guys came out and played a really good third quarter, but in that last quarter South came back at us and we just got over the line.

"A lot of things didn't go to plan today, but the sign of a good side is you've got to be able to deal with what's thrown at you and we did that and got the win."

Golden Square captain Simon Rosa was the best on ground, while Hamish Morcom (three goals), Jack Daley, Dale Lowry and Nathan Coyle were also among the Bulldogs' best.

As well as Morcom's three goals, recruit Sam Frawley also kicked three for the Bulldogs, who have a short break before this Friday's encounter with Brendan Fevola's Kangaroo Flat.

The Bloods' pushing the five-time defending champions all the way was a vastly improved showing on the previous week against Sandhurst.

"It was a fierce contest around the ground all day and I felt we did everything right expect win the game," Bloods coach Jeff Brennan said.

"I thought our boys were terrific and matched Golden Square around the contest, which you need to do. We had some opportunities in the last quarter that we didn't take, but that's footy."

The Bloods had late chances to win the game through shots from Jacob Smythe and Justin Bice, but neither registered goals.

Recruit Ashley Morris (four goals) through the midfield and inside 50  was the Bloods' best player, while Smythe, Frew and Matthew Chisari were other standouts for South Bendigo.

South Bendigo will now chase its first win of the season this Saturday against Eaglehawk in the return of the BFL to Harry Trott Oval.