Ever-reliable defender Louis Pinnuck is set to become the second Werribee player of the season to reach the 100 game milestone when he runs out in Saturday’s Round 16 clash against Coburg.

The milestone and club life membership have been long-awaited achievements for Pinnuck, who has spent eight years at the Werribee Football Club since joining as an 18-year-old TAC Cup graduate from the Murray Bushrangers in 2016.

Pinnuck is having a career best year with the defender currently sitting second in total marks in the competition and has drifted forward scoring four goals to the midpoint of the season, a tally he has only beaten before. 2024 has seen Pinnuck rewarded with selection in the Smithy’s VFL representative team as the Big V returned to state of origin footy against the SANFL earlier this year. 

In his maiden campaign in 2017 Pinnuck began with three games in the VFL Development League before earning a debut on his old stomping ground in Round 5 against Collingwood at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval. This was the year of the 'Travelling Tigers' with Avalon Airport Oval under redevelopment all home games were on the road.

Pinnuck received his debut guernsey from fellow northeasterner Nathan Laracy, a nine-year club veteran, who praised the first-year player "It's tough leaving your family and friends behind, but it's a credit to you. You've come here, put your head down, and done everything the coaches have asked”.

Coach John Lamont got an impressive 12 disposals and three marks from Pinnuck on debut. In the following round facing North Ballarat he had 14 disposals and kicked two long-range goals, something that has become a feature of his game through his journey.

Pinnuck’s selection in the AFL Victoria Young Guns game a fitting acknowledgement off a memorable first season.   

Pinnuck became a mainstay in the Werribee defense and reached new heights in 2022, celebrating his 50th game—a milestone he shared with Tom Gribble, who marked his 100th game with the club. He capped off a breakout season by winning the Most Improved Player award and running fourth in the club's best-and-fairest.

Senior coach Jimmy Allan spoke volumes of the milestone defender “Louis is a star and one of the first picked. His selection in the VFL team at the start of the year was just reward for his consistency over a number of years.”

Werribee extended their winning streak to eight with a decisive 23-point victory over Footscray at home on Saturday.

In a top-of-the-table clash Werribee's 10.9.69 to 7.4.46 win propelled them four points clear at the top.

Angus Hicks nearly kicked the first goal of the game for the fourth time this season, narrowly missing with a running shot that grazed the inside of the post just one minute into the first quarter. However, moments later, Hudson Garoni converted a set shot from the boundary to put the first goal on the board. 

The Bulldogs took a narrow lead following back-to-back goals by Riley Garcia. Werribee responded with three quick goals and enjoyed a 14 points at quarter-time.

Angus Hicks, redeeming his earlier miss, converted a set shot, before Jake Smith snapped home his first VFL goal in the ninth game of the 18 year-old’s career. Aidan Johnson also kicked truly for his first goal of the game right on the siren after a strong contested mark.

Ruckman Sam Conway started hot with eight disposals and 19 hitouts in the opening term. Leaders Dom Brew, nine disposals and three tackles, and Nick Coughlan, four intercept possessions and three marks, were also showing the way early.

The Bulldogs kicked the first goal of the second quarter to narrow the margin to eight points. After a tense ten minutes where neither team could capitalise, Aidan Johnson stepped up with another contested mark and set shot goal. Jack Riding then continued his strong form in the 2024 season, scoring a running goal courtesy of a Bior Malual smother. Werribee took a 20 point lead into half-time.

Footscray key forward Chan Hargraves booted the first goal of the second half but Aidan Johnson, having a career best game, responded with his third set shot. That kickstarted a run of three consecutive goals for Werribee to extend the lead to a game-high 32 points. Hudson Garoni converted his second set shot of the game, another a long-range effort from a tight angle, bringing his season tally to 27 goals. This put him third in the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal count. Daly Andrews, on the back of another Bior Malual goal assist kicked truly from 20 metres out for his fourth goal of the season. Malual ended with 22 disposals, seven marks, and multiple goal assists in a strong performance. A late Footscray goal saw Werribee take a 27-point lead into three-quarter time.

The last quarter saw just one goal kicked by Footscray’s Pheonix Spicer three minutes in but Werribee defensively stood tall, and were able to run out of the top-of-the-table clash as 23 point victors. Captain Nick Coughlan led from the front in the backline with 23 disposals and nine marks. Fellow defenders Jaelen Pavlidis (10 marks), Louis Pinnuck (8 marks), and Riley Bice (8 marks) contributed significantly, while key defender Sam Azzi, in his second game of the season, was strong defensively all day, highlighted by his six spoils.

Aidan Johnson was the Totally Workwear Player of the Round with his career-high three goal performance, which went with 13 disposals, six marks and eight score involvements. 

Sam Conway was excellent in the ruck, being named in the best for the third consecutive week since his return finishing with 42 hitouts, 13 disposals and ten clearances. Dom Brew once again gathered 30 disposals, 13 tackles and 11 clearances, with the vice captain leading the way in the midfield.

Jack Henderson was also strong in the midfield, with 22 disposals, eight marks and four clearances, while Jack Riding put together another strong performance, ending the day with 16 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and his second quarter goal.

Werribee is set for back-to-back home game miletone celebrations. This Saturday's clash against Coburg will mark Louis Pinnuck's 100th VFL game. The following week, Jack Henderson should celebrate his 100th game in the matchup against the Northern Bullants, making it a significant couple of weeks for the club.