Vying for top spot on the ladder, home-side Werribee started red hot on Sunday afternoon and the Pies weren't able to recover from the deficit.
Six Werribee goals to start the game made it very difficult for Collingwood in a match that was largely dominated by the home side. Led by co-captain Thomas Gribble, the Werribee midfield proved too strong for a young Collingwood outfit.
Despite the slow start, the Pies were able to hold their own for the rest of the game.
Led by the experience of Mason Cox, his work in the ruck helped drive the ball forward for the likes of Jack Ginnivan and Harvey Harrison to get their hands on.
Unfortunately for the Pies, whenever momentum looked to be shifting in our favour, it was the home-side who were able to respond swiftly. Some missed chances in front of goal proved costly at stages, however Werribee's ability to keep the ball proved difficult for Collingwood to debunk.
Werribee had 119 more disposals (397 to Collingwood's 278) and 85 more marks (141 to 56).
The key takeaways:
Mason Cox showed his class in the ruck with an impressive 46 hit-outs, 15 disposals and a goal.
Second year player Harvey Harrison's effort was noticeable all afternoon. His eight tackles reflective of his pressure around the contest. It was also good to see Harrison play some minutes in the midfield, attending multiple centre-square bounces throughout the afternoon.
Despite just the six disposals, Jack Ginnivan was opportunistic with his shots at goals. Two majors, including one lovely snap from a clean crumb of the pack was a glimpse into what we know the electric small forward is capable of at his best.
Under pressure all afternoon, Trey Ruscoe also shone brightly in an undermanned defensive line. Seven marks to go with 20 disposals should put him in contention for promotion to the senior side.
Watch the full highlights:
COLLINGWOOD 8.10 (58)
WERRIBEE 14.9 (93)
GOALS
Ginnivan (2), Tomasiello, Murley, McInnes, Harrison, Cox, Kreuger
BEST
Cox, Hustwaite, Tardrew, Kreuger, Ruscoe, Murley
