However, the Cougars were toppled by a much-improved Parkerville by five points in a shock final result, 6.2 (38) to Chidlow's 5.3 (33).
Parkerville remained unbeaten throughout the contest to show they are ready for a big improvement on last season's efforts, when they won just eight of 16 games.
The day started out a little wet and dismal but the sun eventually broke through and it turned out to be perfect conditions for football.
Seven round-robin clashes were played before the final and competing HFA clubs all expressed satisfaction with the new pre-season format.
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READ NOWGidgegannup, which went down by just four points to Chidlow in the 2014 grand final, again showed it would again be a major force in 2015 when it went down to the Cougars by a few points in its round-robin clash. They recorded a comfortable win over Mundaring.
The Bulldogs will travel to George Spriggs Reserve on Sunday for their round-one HFA clash with the Pickering Brook Hawks. In other games, Mt Helena will host Chidlow in the only game the Lions will play at home for the season, due to much needed facility improvements.
Parkerville will be at home against Bullsbrook and Mundaring has the bye.