The 2008 Victorian Premer League Gold Medal winner for the league's best-and-fairest was introduced to his new home fans for the first time and was never too far away from the key moments.

The attacking midfielder showed why Gully coach Peter Ollerton was spruiking his name in preseason interviews.

He wowed the home fans with his trickery on the ball and underscored his impact with a breathtaking goal, hit plush on his left boot and dipping into the top corner of the net.

"It's nice to get off the mark," he said.

"It would have been more rewarding to get the three points rather than the goal, but it's still nice to open my account on my debut so hopefully that's a start of things to come. I just got one-on-one with [Hume City defender] Stevie Pace, tried to make a yard for myself and hit it, shut my eyes and hoped for the best and it's gone in the top corner."

Hockless was also the victim of a harsh tackle from City substitute Ross Thompson.

The pair are good friends off the field, but Thompson was left to rue his shin-high lunge as he was shown a straight red card.

Hockless is adamant there was no malicious intent in the tackle.

"I think refs these days are quick to jump on things like that when they perceive things to be dangerous," he said. "I felt we've both gone in with intentions to win the ball.

"[I've got] no hard feelings towards the boy at all."

The 10-man City regrouped to net a winner in the 75th minute.

It was a sour ending to an afternoon that promised so much for Hockless on day one with his third VPL club since crossing from English league club Grimsby Town four years ago.

"[It is] very disappointing," he said. "We felt we dominated for large spells during the first half in particular. We didn't take advantage of our chances early on which we should've done."