Collingwood has continued their strong form at VFL level winning their third-straight game against Port Melbourne on Sunday.
In wet and windy conditions at ETU Stadium, the Magpies simply had too much firepower for the Borough to contend with as they ran out 108–75 winners.
With the margin 33 points, axed forward Ollie Henry proved the difference with the second-year Magpie returning to the reserves in dominant fashion kicking 4.2 from 16 disposals.
Along with Henry, both Browns in Callum and Tyler did their chances of a senior recall no harm as they combined for 69 disposals (Callum 36, Tyler 33) as the Magpies held sway at the stoppage.
After a few dominant weeks in the reserves, Fin Macrae wasn’t able to make a huge mark on this game with just one goal and 19 disposals, while Collingwood would be pleased with the performance of Will Kelly in defence as the tall had 14 disposals in a strong showing.
The Magpies have a week off next weekend with their next clash coming against Southport at Victoria Park on Saturday July 30.
Across at Windy Hill, Gold Coast came from behind to beat Essendon 78-81 ahead of the two senior sides meeting on Sunday evening at Marvel Stadium.
The key storyline for the home side was Michael Hurley’s return, with the 32-year-old last playing football at the back end of 2020.
The tall had just five disposals and two marks but will hope to be better for the run as he eyes an AFL return.
For the winners, Josh Corbett was the main man up forward with three goals including the match winner, while Charlie Constable (35 disposals), Darcy Macpherson (28 disposals), Jeremy Sharp (three goals, 25 disposals) and James Tsitas (one goal, 23 disposals) also put their hands up for AFL selection.
For Essendon, teenage key forward Patrick Voss was a standout with four goals, while James Stewart also kicked four majors after being flipped forward.
Ruckman Nick Bryan also continued to press his case for senior selection with 13 disposals and 32 hitouts, while Massimo D’Ambrosio was quiet in his VFL return with just one goal and 14 disposals.
The Bombers next face Southport in Queensland while the Suns take on the Lions in a reserve-level Q Clash.