Werribee returned from the bye in style on Saturday, defeating Collingwood by 31 points at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

In an early 11:05am start, Werribee led at every change and produced its highest score of the season, climbing back into the wildcard positions with the strong home victory.

The win was also Werribee’s first since the ANZAC Day triumph over Williamstown, following the loss to Port Melbourne and draw with Tasmania before the bye.

Ajang Kuol mun continued his outstanding start to life in the black and gold, finishing with 33 hitouts, 14 disposals and five clearances, before putting the icing on the cake with an incredible snapping goal late in the final term.

Charlie Lazzaro (33 disposals, 12 clearances) and Dom Brew (26 disposals, nine clearances) once again led the way through the midfield, while Sam Donegan’s 23 disposals and seven tackles added plenty of drive and pressure around the contest.

Down back, Jaelen Pavlidis and Sam Azzi both produced career-best performances. Pavlidis finished with 29 disposals and 13 marks, while Azzi impressed with 23 disposals and 10 marks in one of his strongest outings at VFL level.

Louis Pinnuck also delivered a standout performance worthy of Totally Workwear Hoppers Crossing Player of the Match honours, collecting 22 disposals, 12 marks and a classy running goal from beyond 50.

Up forward, Werribee’s tall trio proved too much for the Pies to handle. Harry Maguire booted a career-high five goals, Brady Wright continued his remarkable consistency with his fourth straight game of three goals, while Will Elliott chipped in with two majors as the trio combined for 10 goals.

Collingwood struck first through AFL-listed forward Jack Buller inside the opening two minutes after Elliott narrowly missed the game’s first opportunity in the opening minute. Elliott responded shortly after with a difficult set shot from deep in the pocket to level things up.

From there, Werribee took control with four goals in quick succession. Jack Riding snapped truly, Maguire kicked two goals in as many minutes, and Pinnuck added one of his trademark running goals from outside 50.

Although the Pies responded through Harvey Harrison, Brady Wright snuck through a major right on quarter-time to hand Werribee a 24-point lead at the first break.

Wright made it back-to-back goals early in the second term before Lachie Charleson added his first with a brilliant snap from deep in the pocket. Maguire then equalled his previous career-best of three goals midway through the quarter with another set shot conversion.

Charleson added another clever finish from congestion late in the term before Maguire booted his fourth before half-time, helping Werribee pile on 11 first-half goals to take a commanding 47-point lead into the main break.

The third term continued the high-scoring theme of the afternoon, with both sides kicking five goals apiece.

Collingwood opened the second half with the first goal of the quarter, but Wright quickly responded to make it four consecutive games with three goals.

Elliott became Werribee’s fourth multiple goal scorer after Kuol mun and Lazzaro combined through the middle, before Brew finally broke through for his first goal of the 2026 season after four behinds across the opening seven rounds, getting a fortunate bounce after snapping from inside the centre square.

Xavier Ivisic added another before Massimo Raso crumbed the contest brilliantly for his first goal of the afternoon, extending Werribee’s advantage to a game-high 69 points. Collingwood responded late with three quick goals to reduce the margin to 51 points at the final break.

The final term saw Maguire complete his five-goal performance, Jake Smith add his third goal of the season, and Kuol mun bring the crowd to its feet with his outstanding late snap, as Werribee ran out 31-point winners despite Collingwood winning the last quarter.

Werribee will now look to make it consecutive victories when it heads to Windy Hill this Sunday to take on Essendon from 12:05pm.