The teams tipped as the big improvers produced a riveting clash in front of a massive crowd of 2800 at Corowa's John Foord Oval.

The Roos carried a goal lead to three-quarter time and landed five to three to seal a confidence-boosting 17.8 (110) to 14.1 (91) win.

"I probably always look at, did we play to our maximum? Did we execute and to be honest, I reckon it was a five out of 10, but the effort and endeavour was an 8.5, 9 out of 10," delighted coach German said.

The home team was coming off only two wins last season, while Wodonga claimed the wooden spoon with just the one victory in 2019.

However, both clubs have launched themselves into re-emerging after years in the wilderness and picked up the greatest quantity of players over the extended off-season.

As you would expect from teams coming from down the ladder and with so many new players in around 30 degree heat, there were a number of mistakes, but it just added to the enthralling contest.

The lead changed hands a number of times and the first three quarters had the same theme with Wodonga gaining the upper hand before the Roos fought back.

When Charlie Nastasi found former O and M rep James Svarc with a clever handball at the six-minute mark of the final quarter, the Roos had an 11-point buffer, but Adam Jorgensen cut it back within a kick shortly after.

Hayden Filliponi was caught high by Jayse Brown a minute later and when Filliponi again got the better of Brown, this time with a tackle, the ball spilled to Nastasi, who fired a long handball to recruit Kyle Docherty for the match-sealer.

Brown is a talented player, but he had a tough day after he was sent off for 15 minutes right on half-time as the teams pushed and shoved for a couple of minutes.

"They just had wiser heads at the end, they just settled their team a little more and probably used the ball a little better through traffic inside forward 50," Wodonga's coach Jordan Taylor said after his debut.

"Credit to them, they took pride in their home ground."

Goals: Corowa-Rutherglen: Kyle Docherty 3, Jarred Lane 3, Hayden Filliponi 3, Cameron Wilson 2, James Svarc 2, Max Taylor, Damien Wilson, Tom Goodwin, Charlie Nastasi; Wodonga: Tom Johnson 5, Ethan Redcliffe 2, Cody Szust, Josh Mathey, Josh Clayton, Jordan Taylor, Adam Jorgensen, Sam Jewell, Rhys Ritchie. Best: Corowa: Tom Goodwin, Jack Schilg, Joe Hansen, Angus Lingham, Jarred Lane, Max Taylor. Wodonga: Charlie Morrison, Josh Clayton, Tom Johnson, Jordan Taylor, Kade Mimmo, Josh Mathey.

Roos' former VFL big man Tom Goodwin was terrific, willing himself into multiple contests and kicking a goal.

He battled team-mate Jack Schilg for best on ground, while Jarred Lane kicked three goals.

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Taylor was excellent in the first half, as was VFL player Josh Clayton, ex-Benalla player Charlie Morrison was strong throughout, while ex-SANFL player Tom Johnson kicked five goals.

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