The hosts booted five of the first six goals, but Tallangatta withstood the early barrage and gradually worked its way back to win 9.8 (62) to 8.8 (56).

Kiewa-Sandy Creek had a 17-point lead at quarter-time, but a goal to Khyle Goodman in the final stages was a momentum changer for Tallangatta.

The Hoppers did the same in the second term as coach Tyson Smith was on target with the last kick of the quarter to cut the margin to two at the main break.

Two early goals after half-time gave the visitors the lead for the first time since the opening score of the match, but the Hawks responded with two of their own as Jack Di Mizio put them back in front midway through the quarter.

KSC clung to a five-point buffer at the last change, but Ethan Riddington and Bob Russell goaled inside the first 10 minutes to give Tallangatta a nine-point cushion.

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Mitch Paton was on target with a set shot for KSC, but a second for Kaine Parsons restored Tallangatta's lead.

The Hawks dominated possession late in the contest, but were able to convert as Tallangatta held on for a thrilling one-goal win.

Joel O'Connell starred in the midfield, while Tom Russell led the way down back for the Hoppers.

Smith was thrilled with the way his side ground out the result, especially after it was reduced to two on the bench in the first term when Brad Duff was ruled out with a knee injury.

"I was really proud of the effort. The boys didn't waiver and that intensity in the last quarter was finals-like and the boys really stood up," he said.

"The back six were good all day. They absorbed a lot of pressure and we did enough to finish in front.

"It's only round two, but it's good to bank those early wins.

"We had some young blokes come in because we had a few out and they all stood up.

"We haven't won here at Kiewa for a long time, so it was good to get the monkey off the back."

Hawks' coach Adam Mudra felt the Hoppers were better in the big moments.

"We knew it was probably going to go down to the wire and the game proved that," he said.

"When you're playing quality sides you need to be engaged and in the contest the whole time, but when you drift away from that, good sides will hurt you and that's what they did.

"I thought they were a bit tougher around the footy and the night really called for that. The footy was dewy and spent a lot of time on the deck, but their hardness and ability to win important contests and important moments within the game put them in the driver's seat, particularly in the second half.

"To go down by a goal gives us heart that we're around the mark, but they had five changes from last week and they were all senior players who were unavailable or injured."

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