For the first time since 2002, the VFL have prevailed over the SANFL, with the Big V claiming an 11-point win in Adelaide on Saturday as part of the AFL’s Gather Round festivities.

Werribee stars Louis Pinnuck and Dom Brew were instrumental, both delivering standout performances to lead the VFL to victory.

Trailing at the final change, the VFL and SANFL went goal for goal early in the last quarter, until Pinnuck, running off half-back, broke the deadlock. In the space of three minutes, he booted two goals to firstly give the VFL the lead and then extend the margin to 11 points.

It was a rare feat for the reliable defender, who has kicked multiple goals in a game just three times across his 110-match VFL career. Pinnuck’s burst helped the Big V pile on four of the final five goals to deny the Croweaters a sixth consecutive win.

The defender’s two last-quarter goals went with 21 disposals and six marks to earn him the Frank Johnson Medal as the VFL's best player.

State team captain Dom Brew was also named among the VFL’s best, leading the way on the inside with a game-high nine tackles—a trademark performance that came as no surprise to Werribee fans.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Brew said: “I asked for a team of winners to be picked when Zayn gave me the call—and that’s what he gave me.”

It was a great weekend for the VFL, who enjoyed a clean sweep over the SANFL, backing up Friday's women's victory with the 18.6 (114) to 15.13 (103) win at a sweltering Tanunda Recreation Park in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

FINAL SCORE:
SANFL: 2.7 7.8 11.10 15.13 (103)
VFL: 4.0 8.2 12.6 18.6 (114)

GOAL SCORERS:
SANFL: Liam McBean (5), Lachie Hosie (5), Lewis Hayes, James Bell, Jimmy Rowe, Ewan Mackinlay, Aiden Grace
VFL: Brodie McLaughlin (4), Jacob Heron (2), Boyd Woodcock (2), Campbell Lake (2), Louis Pinnuck (2), Corey Ellison, James Tsitas, Liam McMahon, Tom Murphy, Harvey Hooper, Jack Bytel

BEST PLAYERS:
SANFL: Harrison Wigg, Liam McBean, James Bell, Lachie Hosie, Corey Lyons, Tom Lewis
VFL: Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Heron, Dom Brew, Louis Pinnuck, Harvey Hooper, Campbell Lake

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

With a league-wide bye in the VFL as the competition’s best head to Adelaide for the return of the AAMI State Games during the AFL’s Gather Round, there’s still no shortage of Werribee talent in action across the state — with 22 players set to run out at local level.

The strong connection between Werribee and local clubs was spotlighted today in a video shared on socials, with senior coach Jimmy Allan reinforcing just how vital that grassroots link continues to be.

“We’ve had some players drafted recently and received a lot of credit for the work we’ve done and the development we’ve put into them — but the reality is, we’re just putting the finishing touches on the hard work already done by their local clubs,” Allan said, pointing to Riley Bice and his development at Albury as a prime example.

Around the Grounds:

Western Football Netball League:

Harry Maguire – Hoppers Crossing vs Caroline Springs
2:30pm, Sat 12 April – Hogans Road Reserve

Spencer Johnson – Altona vs Parkside
6:00pm, Sat 12 April – Merv Hughes Oval

Tom Stapleton – Parkside vs Altona
6:00pm, Sat 12 April – Merv Hughes Oval

Wil Kliszewski – Yarraville Seddon vs Werribee Districts
2:30pm, Sat 12 April – Yarraville Oval

Geelong Football Netball League:

Ben Kellett – South Barwon vs Grovedale
2:10pm, Sat 12 April – Burdoo Reserve

Charlie Byrne – Newtown & Chilwell vs Bell Park
2:10pm, Sat 12 April – Elderslie Reserve

Goulburn Valley Football League:

Angus Hicks – Shepparton United vs Mansfield
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Deakin Reserve

Anthony Depasquale – Kyabram vs Tatura
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Tatura Park

Dom Gugliotti – Mooroopna vs Rochester
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Mooroopna Reserve

Ovens & Murray Football League:

Archer Gardiner – North Albury vs Wangaratta Rovers
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Bunton Park

Foster Gardiner – North Albury vs Wangaratta Rovers
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Bunton Park

Jedd Longmire – Corowa Rutherglen vs Wangaratta
6:00pm, Sat 12 April – Wangaratta Showgrounds

Raymond Murphy – Corowa Rutherglen vs Wangaratta
6:00pm, Sat 12 April – Wangaratta Showgrounds

Victorian Amateur Football Association:

Harrison Miller – Williamstown CYMS vs Old Trinity
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Fearon Reserve

Sam Allen – Old Ivanhoe vs Old Carey
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Chelsworth Park

Essendon District Football League:

Cam McLeod – Aberfeldie vs Essendon Doutta Stars
2:15pm, Sat 12 April – Nipper Jordan Oval

Hayden Gill – Deer Park vs Greenvale
2:15pm, Sat 12 April – John McLeod Reserve

Ballarat Football Netball League:

Jake Lohmann – Lake Wendouree vs Melton
2:15pm, Sat 12 April – CE Brown Reserve

Rye Penny – Bacchus Marsh vs Redan
2:15pm, Sat 12 April – City Oval (Ballarat)

Bellarine Football Netball League:

Luke Preece – Drysdale vs Modewarre
2:10pm, Sat 12 April – Drysdale Recreation Reserve

Jack Henderson – Barwon Heads vs Queenscliff
2:10pm, Sat 12 April – Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Hampden Football Netball League:

Jackson Grundy – North Warrnambool vs South Warrnambool
2:00pm, Sat 12 April – Bushfield Recreation Reserve

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

As the AAMI State Game returns for a second consecutive year as part of the AFL’s Gather Round festivities, Werribee will once again be represented on the big stage, with Dom Brew and Louis Pinnuck named in the VFL’s final 23-man team to take on the SANFL’s West End State Team.

The selection is a fitting reward for the pair, who both celebrated their 100th games for the club last year.

For Pinnuck, the call-up is a well-deserved opportunity after injury ruled him out of last year’s clash.

2024 was a year to celebrate for the 26-year-old defender. Pinnuck played 20 games, led the competition in total marks, finished in the top five in Werribee’s best and fairest, and capped it all off with premiership success in his 107th game.

His 2025 form has picked up right where he left off—earning coaches’ votes in back-to-back games and once again leading the competition in marks.

The final 23-man side was announced following the appointment of champion midfielder Dom Brew as captain for a second consecutive year. The reigning J.J. Liston Trophy winner said, “It’s always good to be recognised like this. I’m excited to get a bit of redemption, and to have the privilege of doing it again is really special.”

Werribee Football Manager Kyle Hartigan praised both players on their selection.

“It’s a terrific achievement for Dom and Louis to represent the Big V,” Hartigan said. “It’s great recognition for themselves and the club. We wish them both the very best and have no doubt they’ll do us proud.”

The clash between the VFL and SANFL representative teams will follow the North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns AFL match at nearby Barossa Park, providing a footy showcase for the Barossa region.

The VFL will be looking for redemption after going down to the SANFL by 14 points at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium last year.

2025 AAMI State Game – Men’s
Smithy’s VFL State Team vs SANFL’s West End State Team
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:45pm local / 3:15pm AEST
Tanunda Recreation Park
Broadcast: 7mate in Victoria and 7plus Sport nationally. Live stream at AFL.com.au
Tickets: Adults $15, concession $10. Purchase tickets here

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

With Werribee’s VFL campaign now underway and the side returning home for the first time on the weekend, the local footy scene also kicked off, with 14 Werribee-listed players running out for their local clubs across eight different leagues on Saturday.

Read the first edition of our 2025 Local Player Report to see how those next in line are tracking after officially hitting the park for their opening games of the season.

Geelong Football Netball League

Liam Kershaw - St. Joseph’s
The new Werribee recruit got his season off to a strong start in the GFL season opener. The youngster was named in the best for the Joeys, and impressed both offensively and defensively on the wing.

Cooper Ward - St. Joseph’s
Kershaw’s teammate and fellow Werribee recruit made a strong start to 2025, contributing to St Joseph’s opening-round win. The 18-year-old forward hit the scoreboard with a goal and was lively around the ball, recording three inside 50s in the victory over Newtown.

Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell
Lining up against Kershaw and Ward in the only GFL clash of the opening round, Byrne played well despite his side falling short. Splitting his time between the wing and his familiar half-back role, he used the ball efficiently and applied strong defensive pressure to finish with four tackles.

Bellarine Football Netball League

Luke Preece - Drysdale
Named Werribee’s Local Player of the Week, Preece stood out in a nail-biting one-goal loss to Anglesea. The intercepting defender took five marks, with his aerial work a standout. Also named among Drysdale’s best, he registered 11 one-percenters and earned praise for his strong one-on-one efforts throughout the game.

Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads
Jack Henderson got his season off to a flyer as Barwon Heads cruised past Portarlington by nine goals. Looking dangerous all day up forward, the dynamic forward booted four goals and took 10 marks – including four contested – to be named among the best.

Goulburn Valley Football League

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
After falling short in last year’s semi final, Mooroopna couldn’t get over the line in Round 1, falling to Mansfield by 38 points. Gugliotti, however, impressed in his first local game since joining Werribee, earning a spot in the best. The defender found plenty of the ball and used it superbly, going at 88% efficiency in a strong personal start to the season.

Anthony Depasquale – Kyabram
Following an injury-affected pre-season, Depasquale made a strong return, getting through a full game and making an immediate impact. He kicked a goal in the first quarter and set up multiple others before half time, later rotating through half-forward and deep forward to help Kyabram open the season with a win.

Western Football Netball League:

Spencer Johnson - Altona
Johnson returned for his first game since Werribee’s first practice match of the season and managed well as Altona went down to the reigning premiers, Hoppers Crossing. The defender was efficient with the ball, providing dash off half-back and taking six marks in a solid return.

Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville Seddon
The Eagles got their season off to a flying start with an upset win over Caroline Springs, despite a late five-goal surge from the opposition. Kliszewski, a young key forward recently invited to train with Werribee, was named among the best, making his presence felt both in the air and at ground level, finishing with six tackles and several strong contested marks

Tom Stapleton – Parkside
Parkside made a statement in their opening match, notching a nine-goal win over newly promoted Sunshine. Stapleton worked into the game well and ended with four marks in a solid outing.

Northern Football Netball League

Cam Wild - Hurstbridge
Wild found plenty of the footy as Hurstbridge went down in a thrilling encounter in their season opener, losing to Greensborough by three points. Wild, a damaging, inside midfielder, also booted a goal and laid nine tackles.

Victorian Amateur Football Association

Harry Miller - Williamstown CYMS
After escaping relegation last season, Williamstown CY’s opened their season in style with a 53-point win over Hampton Rovers. Miller was a constant threat up forward, finishing with six shots on goal. The small forward also received praise for his pressure and defensive efforts inside 50.

Ballarat Football Netball League

Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh
Penny made a strong start to the season in Bacchus Marsh’s 53-point win over Lake Wendouree. Playing across half-back, he impressed with his aerial presence and ability to win one-on-ones, finishing with five marks, including several intercepts. After a knee scare early in the second half, Penny pushed forward and capped off his day with a goal.

Essendon District Football League

Cam McLeod - Aberfeldie
McLeod was named among the best in Aberfeldie’s 50-point win to open their 2025 campaign. Playing on the wing, he ran hard all day and contributed strongly with ball in hand.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.