The Bulldogs, under new coach Allira Holmes, slowly worked their way into the lead during the  second quarter and led by four goals at half time.

They extended that lead to as much as 11 goals in the third quarter before withstanding a spirited Kangaroo Flat fightback in the last quarter.

The Roos pulled to within three goals in the final term, but with best-on-court Meg Gilbert, Lucy Morcom and their coach holding firm in defence, the Bulldogs steadied to record a 51-44 win.

The match was in the balance early with the scores tied at 15-apiece at quarter time.

It was an exciting start to the season for Holmes, who admitted to a few nerves before the match.

"It's probably the most nervous I have been before any game and that was only because I have the coaching gig," she said.

"I'm definitely happy round one is over and we can move onto round two with a win on the board."

Holmes praised her side's effort to regroup and refocus when challenged in a tense final term.

"We know with Flat that you just can't rest at any time," she said.

"When we were up by 10 at three-quarter time, I spoke to the girls and told them Kangaroo Flat would not just lay down, they would come out fighting and they did.

"But I do trust the girls and they had the patience to pull it together."

Holmes was pleased with the debut A-grade games of new centre Kelly Wilson and wing attack Delaynie Caldwell, who was making the giant step up to  B-grade.

Two-time Roos premiership coach Janelle Hobbs said she had expected a fierce challenge from Golden Square and was not let down.

"To get back to just a few goals down from being 10 down in that last quarter was fantastic. We had our chances, but just didn't convert," she said.

"I'm proud of the way we played, the girls fought it out well.

"They played well and have a good side, but obviously we're not far off."

A fresh-look Kangaroo Flat was without former captain Karly Elvey and defensive duo Zoe Davies and Alicia McGlashan from last season's premiership line-up.

The Roos will be encouraged by the efforts of youngsters Ava Lowndes and Danielle Markwell in defence.

In other games, predictions of sharp improvement from  Eaglehawk under new coach Mali Roberts appear on the mark, after the Hawks defeated South Bendigo 71-20.

Zoe Davies had an excellent first outing for her new club after switching from Kangaroo Flat, winning the Hawks incentive award.

Maryborough started the season confidently with a 72-24 victory over Castlemaine under new lights at Camp Reserve.

Gisborne defeated Kyneton 70-14.