The Bushrangers were in all sorts of trouble at 4-54 and 6-137 before Sutherland came to the rescue with the finest knock of his young career.
The 22-year-old struck 100 off 168 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, to lift Victoria to 9-264 at stumps on day one.
His heroics were all the more surprising given he entered the match with a first-class average of just 14.33 from 21 matches and with a top score of 34 not out.
Sutherland was also left shaken by a big hit to the helmet when he was yet to score.
He was given the all clear to continue after an on-field medical assessment, and he gained in confidence the longer his innings went.
South Australia's tactic of bowling short to him soon came unstuck as Sutherland began to unleash a series of lusty blows.
Sutherland's knock came on the same day that his sister, Annabel Sutherland, posted 68 off 76 balls in Victoria's WNCL win over Tasmania.
She posted a century two days earlier in what has proven to be a magical week for the talented family.
"It's what Alex Carey was saying out in the middle - saying the Sutherlands are in good form," Will Sutherland said.
"I've got a long way to go to catch up with her and the way she's batting. But it's good to be in the runs.
"I do work very hard on my batting, so it's good to see some reward."
Although Sutherland was able to cash in, Pucovski missed out completely.
Pucovski survived a strong LBW shout from Harry Conway on the first ball of the innings. Three balls later he was out when he edged the paceman behind.
It was one of five catches for wicketkeeper Alex Carey across the day.
Peter Handscomb (10), Nic Maddinson (4) and Matt Short (5) all fell cheaply before lunch, while Sam Harper (10) was dismissed after the break to leave Victoria reeling at 5-92.
The damage would have been far worse if it wasn't for Marcus Harris, who kept his calm amid the carnage to post a finely-crafted 85 off 170 balls.
Once he departed, Sutherland took over in dominant fashion to further drag Victoria to safety.
His innings was eventually ended by a mesmerising Jordan Buckingham delivery that dramatically swung back in to clip the off stump bail.
Buckingham finished the day with figures of 3-52, while David Grant (3-76) and Wes Agar (2-36) also enjoyed success.
"It was a good toss to win. To let them get as many runs, we are a bit disappointed there. But all in all, we'd probably call it even," Buckingham said.
