Clunes, tipped to be wooden spooners, challenged last year's premiers until three-quarter time, but was blown away in the last quarter at Victoria Park.

Before the match, Daylesford reflected on its stellar 2007 season by unveiling its premiership flag in front of the home crowd.

Daylesford didn't have it all its own way. Clunes had come to spoil the celebrations and the first term was a tight contest.

Neither side could break away on the scoreboard and Daylesford's backline was forced to deal with a barrage of forward thrusts from Clunes.

But play began to open up in the second quarter. The Bulldogs midfield core began to take over. Xavier Keighran and ruckman Jack Savige were instrumental in the momentum shift. But poor accuracy on goal from the Daylesford forwards kept Clunes in the game. The Magpies were just 14 points behind the reigning premiers at the main break.

The half-time break seemed to do the Bulldogs a world of good and they came out with all guns blazing in the second half.

Brothers Luke and Joel Adams won everything out of the center and delivered to forwards with precision.

Nick Cronin took over with three strong marks and goals to stretch Daylesford's lead to five goals at three-quarter time.

From there it was a training run, with many of the new faces getting amongst the action in the last quarter.

The midfield brigade piled on the goals to give Daylesford a comfortable 85-point win.

Only 11 members of the 2007 premiership side took to the field on Saturday.

Hardnuts Michael Young, James Sewell and Jason Yole battled hard for the Magpies and forward Matt Cannan performed well with four goals.