Louis Pinnuck on his bid to be a VFL premiership player

Louis Pinnuck is one of the unheralded stars of Werribee’s bid for a first VFL premiership since 1993. He opens up on his journey from country Victoria to the expectation on the Bees.

Louis Pinnuck. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Walking into Avalon Airport Oval for pre-season late in 2016, Louis Pinnuck couldn’t have predicted how his career would unfold.

This weekend he’s preparing for his second Victorian Football League grand final with Werribee.

He’s doing it in a year where he also celebrated 100 games with the Bees.

The ever reliable defender made the move to the standalone club in Melbourne’s west when he had just finished his underage footballing journey with the Murray Bushrangers and local club Strathmerton.

Pinnuck said he soon found a new footballing home.

“It’s a great environment. To be honest, the club has a real country footy club feel,” he said.

“The recruiters do a great job in bringing in the country boys. As soon as I got to the club it had a really welcoming feel, which made it a lot more attractive at the start.

“When I first came down, I wasn’t expecting too much. I got to 50 games and I thought it was a pretty special achievement. To get to 100 this year is something I am proud of.

“It’s just so fun to be around. I haven’t really had any doubts about wanting to leave so far.”

Pinnuck and his Werribee teammates are looking to go one step better in 2024 after going down in last season’s decider to Gold Coast.

Standing in their way of the club’s first premiership since 1993 is Southport, the only interstate standalone club.

Pinnuck said “it’s a lot of fun” to face off against non-AFL opposition in the final game of the season.

Although he feels there’s a bit more expectation on his side.

“Being minor premiers, playing in it last year,” Pinnuck said when asked what his reasons for his thinking were.

“We’ve been on top of the ladder for most of the season as well. And I think that we’re probably be perceived as the best team in the comp.

“I genuinely think we are as well so I suppose that’s just that expectation to get the job done.”

While some of his teammates including J.J Liston Trophy winner Dom Brew might get more of the headlines, Pinnuck’s importance to Werribee can’t be undersold.

Although the man himself plays it down.

“Just playing my role mate like all 22 of us,” he said.

“The club is just a fun place to be. I’m loving my footy, whether it’s playing, training or being around here.”