A fired-up Bulldogs, urged on by a solid group of Wilson's past team-mates and family, rebounded from a two-goal half time deficit to defeat the Tigers in a low-scoring contest 20-17.

The win was only the Bulldogs' second in nine games this season, but was more than enough to propel them from the bottom of the BFNL ladder, after Strathfieldsaye and Maryborough (now both 1-8) suffered respective losses to Gisborne and Sandhurst on Saturday.

Kyneton (3-6) squandered its chance to join fifth-placed Eaglehawk on four wins following the Hawks' 72-37 loss to Kangaroo Flat at Eaglehawk.

Golden Square coach Benita Swatton praised her mostly young team's fighting spirit and said players had definitely dug deep for Wilson and fellow defender and milestone player Zoe Douglass, who notched up her 50th game for the Bulldogs.

"We had two milestones today, but definitely Wilson's 200th was a massive factor in a hard-fought out win," she said.

"They're both defenders and both had ripper games.

"Definitely the conditions didn't allow it to be high scoring, but to be honest, it's probably the first game we can say we've played a full four quarters.

"It was a fantastic effort and one I was very proud of."

Advancing to 2-7, ahead of a tough match-up against reigning premiers Sandhurst, Swatton hoped Saturday's win over the Tigers would provide the spur for a brighter second half to the season for her injury-stricken team.

"Having hit the middle of the season, we do have quite a few injuries, but it's just good to see the connections that are forming between the girls now," she said.

"We've had quite a few changes in recent weeks, but it's good to see them clicking.

"The win-loss ratio is not something I am really focused on, it's more about the development of our young players for the years to come."

One of those youngsters to make her mark against the Tigers was former BFNL 17-and-under representative Abbey Clohesy, who played a standout game at wing defence.

A memorable day for Wilson, an A-grade premiership player with the Bulldogs in 2008 and a five-time A-reserve flag winner, including three-straight from 2014-16, was made complete by getting to again play alongside her daughter Keely, who gained a clearance for the day from Cohuna, and spent the first one and a bit quarters at goal shooter before making way for Aimee Ryan.

The club's newest life member was quick to praise her team-mate's resilience to first come back and then hold on to score such a proud win.

"I'm stoked, today was like winning a grand final for me, having all my favourite girls here in the crowd watching," she said.

"I knew the girls would get up for me if they could, but there were some times I thought we weren't going to do it, given how close of a contest it was, but I'm glad we did."

Wilson said sharing the moment with Keely had made a special day unforgettable.

"We had a season and a half (playing) together, but obviously she's away this year. It was just like old times," she said.

"I don't know if I'll make it back next year, but you know I'll be trying my hardest.

"I really hope there's a few more wins ahead this year, I think the girls have it in them."

Elsewhere, Gisborne bounced back from its first defeat of the season last week against Sandhurst with a massive 81-18 win at Strathfieldsaye.

Top of the ladder Kangaroo Flat kept its unbeaten record intact with a 72-37 victory against Eaglehawk, while Sandhurst defeated Maryborough 62-36 at Princes Park.

South Bendigo had the bye.

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Wilson gets to share 200th game milestone with daughter

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