Nirranda picked up where it left off.
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The reigning premiers raised their 2018 A-grade flag and took a moment to celebrate the triumph before getting down to business, recording a 61-52 win over Old Collegians.
Vanessa McLaren - the Warriors' youngest player - and Nicole O'Shannessy got the job of minding Steph Townsend in goals, but the playing-coach could not be stopped, finishing with 45 goals in a best on court performance.
Townsend said she was rapt with the result after several momentum shifts throughout the game.
"It was good to blow out the cobwebs," she said.
"I was really happy we could crawl out of the hole.
"And it was a special moment when we raised that flag, because we worked super hard last year."
Townsend heaped praise on returning player Lisa Couch.
"Her vision is fantastic and quite rare in a young feeder," the coach said. "She just plays years above her age and she's an absolute workhorse."
Townsend said Lisa Anders and Lisa Couch were also instrumental to the win.
Old Collegians coach Jessica Toleman said she was happy with her side's grit despite the loss.
"It's always hard coming up Steph and her girls - they're the best in the league for a reason," she said.
"We need to work on our passing and finishing off leads, but apart from that the girls did well."
Toleman said Rachel Iderson was best on for the Warriors.
"Rachel is just so reliable and really makes our team click," she said.
Meanwhile, Dennington edged out South Rovers 46-42 in a tight tussle.
Dogs coach Josie Bolden said her side's defensive pressure was the key to winning.
"It was great to have a hit out like that and be really challenged in round one," she said.
"We were able to cause turnovers and capitalise on them, which got us over the line."
Kristie Bolden was best on for Dennington, along with Lana Keane, who shot 25 goals, and recruit Ruby Wilson, who made a clear impact in her first game for the Dogs.
"She's a real asset and her drive through the mid-court is second to none," Josie Bolden said of Wilson.
Bolden also praised 16-year-old Zoe Fleming's ability to handle pressure while playing against South Rovers coach Jess Rohan.
And with Nirranda up next, the Dennington coach said she's bracing for another challenge.
In other games, Kolora-Noorat defeat Panmure 51-29 after scores level at quarter-time, with Holly Richardson, Ashlee Holmes and Jocelyn McDonald best on for the Power.
And while Merrivale led Russells Creek by just three goals at half-time, the Tigers would also defeat the Creekers 51-29 with Cloe Pulling, Millie Mahony and Nicole Ferguson best on.
The Timboon Demons tasted victory with a 54-38 win over Allansford.
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