Kyneton walked away with the four points, but Gisborne showed it will be a hard nut to crack in the BFNL in 2017.
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The Tigers, who finished fifth in 2016, were made to work mighty hard for the 16.16 (112) to 15.14 (104) win in an entertaining round one clash at the Kyneton Showgrounds.
Kyneton kept the Dogs at arms length for much of the final term before a late Gisborne surge tightened up the scoreboard.
“Gisborne had a slight fitness edge on us considering that younger age bracket they have and they finished hard,’’ Kyneton coach Luke Beattie said.
“Gisborne have certainly improved. They’ve added some quality players and their younger players have that one year of experience at senior footy which will hold them in good stead for this year.
“From our point of view, we were happy to get the win on a day when we didn’t play our best footy and we had to really knuckle down.”
Mick Clancy was named Kyneton’s best player for his run-with role on Gisborne’s star recruit Clinton Young.
New Kyneton skipper Josh Govan and brother Hamish were outstanding against their former side, while Billy Mahony’s clearance work was impressive in his first game for the Tigers.
Tom Wood kicked five goals for Gisborne to be in his side’s best players alongside Ryan Baker, Tom Cassidy and Daniel Weaver.
