The VFL has made it back-to-back wins over the SANFL, holding on for a five-point victory in Adelaide on Saturday as part of the AFL’s Gather Round.

Werribee was once again at the centre of the result, boasting a league-high five representatives, with Louis Pinnuck leading the side to victory as captain, while senior coach Dan Lowther made it a party of six Tigers involved with his role as assistant coach.

It marks the second straight year a Werribee player has captained the VFL to victory, following Dom Brew’s role in last year’s first win over the SANFL since 2002.

Played at Glenelg, the clash was a high-scoring thriller, with the SANFL leading at every change before a four-goal final term from the VFL saw them surge home to claim the 15.13 (103) to 14.14 (98) win.

All five Werribee representatives played their part, with Pinnuck joined in the side by Dom Brew, Jack Riding, Ryan Eyers and Jesse Clark.

Pinnuck led from the front, producing a strong performance down back with 19 disposals, five tackles and nine marks, including a game-clinching intercept mark late as the SANFL surged inside 50 with the margin under a goal.

Brew matched Pinnuck’s 19 disposals and brought his trademark toughness around the contest, finishing with nine tackles, six clearances and two crucial goals.

Both of Brew’s majors came at pivotal moments. His first came after winning a free kick inside 50, calmly converting to give the Big V their first lead since the opening term. He then stepped up again midway through the final quarter, launching a set shot from beyond 50 to stretch the margin to 12 points and give the VFL breathing room late.

Riding, playing forward, finished with 15 disposals and eight tackles, while also setting up two goals in an impressive showing in his first representative appearance.

Clark was solid down back with 13 disposals and four marks, while Eyers continued his outstanding start to 2026, holding strong in defence.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, the winning captain, Pinnuck said: “Before last year we hadn’t beaten you guys [SANFL] in 22 years, so we wanted to make sure last year wasn’t just a one-off. We wanted to create a bit of a legacy.”

Following the league-wide bye, Werribee returns home to host Frankston on Saturday, with tickets available to purchase here.

FINAL SCORE:
SANFL: 5.4 7.9 12.10 14.14 (98)
VFL: 3.3 7.8 11.11 15.13 (103)

GOAL SCORERS:
SANFL: T. Scully (3), M. Allen (2), A. Doyle (2), L. McBean, M. Beattie, T. Emmett, L. Hosie, C. Murley, K. Ryan
VFL: M. Podhajski (4), D. Brew (2), C. Clarke (2), J. Hagan (2), J. Tarrant (2), J. Billings, K. Declase, J. Hately