The knee reconstruction that will end Alan Toovey's AFL season is bitter news for Collingwood.

Toovey suffered the anterior cruciate ligament rupture to his left knee with only minutes left in the 46-point Anzac Day loss to Essendon at the MCG.

Alan Toovey is attended to after injuring his knee in the closing minutes of Thursday's game against Essendon. Credit:Joe Armao

The defender has played 114 games and is one of the most respected players at Collingwood.

"There is no sugar coating his loss," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said in a statement.