FOR THE first time since 2002, the VFL has defeated the SANFL, getting the job done on Saturday afternoon by 11 points.
The Big V enjoyed a clean sweep, 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.
Louis Pinnuck was the star, with a calm head behind play early helping to set up a strong position, before two stunning final quarter goals to confirm the win. He finished the day with 21 disposals and six marks, along with the Frank Johnson Medal as the VFL's best player around his neck.
As their women's side did the night prior, South Australia struggled to make the most of its opportunities in front of goal. A dominant opening term left it trailing by five points at the first break, with just two goals from nine scores, while the VFL nailed four straight majors. In the end, despite four more scoring shots, they couldn't make it count.
Boyd Woodcock had some vital moments when the momentum was against the Big V, finishing with 24 disposals and two goals – both of which came late in the third term.
South Australia captain Liam McBean wreaked havoc on the VFL's defensive line, with his 202cm often too much of a reach for direct opponent Mutaz El Nour. Sam Durdin was handed the job in the second half, and was able to slow the star's influence, but certainly not stop it. McBean's five goals, and the same return from Lachie Hosie held up the home side's attack.
In the face of a South Australian surge to open the second quarter, the VFL kicked two quick goals against the run. The first, off the boot of Liam McMahon after a dropped intercept mark from the home side in the corridor, and the second a miraculous long bomb from Tom Murphy that sailed through from the centre square.
But it was at the contest where South Australia thrived, overpowering the VFL group, and generating genuine attack off the back of its clearance work. South Australia's best on ground medallist Corey Lyons (26 disposals, seven inside 50s) proved to be a constant headache, as did James Bell (18 disposals, six clearances) and Tom Lewis (stats).
Meanwhile Harrison Wigg was cutting rotating through the wing and half back line, offering a calming layer behind the midfield and finishing with 29 disposals and seven inside 50s for the day.
SANFL 2.7 7.8 11.10 15.13 (103)
VFL 4.0 8.2 12.6 18.6 (114)
GOALS
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
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
