The Hawks finished runner-up last season and are once again among the flag fancies but couldn't deliver the knockout blow when the match was up for grabs in the dying minutes.

Thurgoona recruit Sarah-Jane Daley stood tall when her side needed her most in the frantic final minutes with two intercepts at crucial stages proving the difference.

Bulldogs coach Kristie McInnes was ecstatic to start the season with an upset victory.

"We got the win but there is still a lot of things we need to work on," McInnes said.

"The wet conditions made it a bit tricky for all of us.

"But we were pretty happy to come away with the points because we rate Kiewa highly."

Thurgoona finished fourth last season and McInnes said the victory helps instill self-belief that it could improve further this season.

"It was an important win but what was most pleasing is how we responded when challenged," she said.

"At times last year we dropped the bundle when in a winning position and let the opposition back in."

Thurgoona unveiled new recruits Sara-Jane Daley and Jess Wheatley as well as Taylor Dean who slotted into the A-grade line-up after playing B-grade last season.

Dean had an impact with her intercepts playing both goal defence and wing defence a highlight.

Thurgoona led all day with the final score 31 to 30.

The Bulldogs gained the early ascendancy to lead nine to three at the first break.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek struggled to make inroads before the main break with the home side still trailing by five goals.

Last year's runner-up's lifted their work rate in the third-quarter to trail by two goals at the final change and set up a thrilling finale.

The Hawks threw everything at their opponents in the final quarter but could never get their noses in front before finally going down by the narrowest of margins.

Thurgoona host Mitta United next week.