Collingwood has confirmed that reef mcinnes suffered an ACL injury in Friday’s VFL game against Essendon, adding another cruel blow to a 2025 campaign already disrupted by knee trouble. The defender left the field in the first quarter, and scans late this afternoon in Eastern Time confirmed damage to his left knee. The injury ends his season and leaves Collingwood to manage another long recovery for the 23-year-old.
Reef Mcinnes injury hits Collingwood on Anzac Day eve
The timing is especially difficult for Collingwood, with the setback landing on the eve of its Anzac Day clash. reef mcinnes was injured during the club’s VFL match against Essendon, and the first-quarter exit immediately raised concern. The later scan result confirmed what the club feared: an ACL injury in the left knee.
The news is made heavier by the fact that McInnes’ 2025 season was already devastated by a right-knee ACL injury. He had been working back from that setback and had taken significant steps toward pressing for a regular senior spot before this latest injury stopped that progress again.
Club support and Reef Mcinnes injury update
Collingwood football general manager Charlie Gardiner said the club would stand by the defender through recovery. “Reef’s injury is incredibly disappointing news, particularly given the commitment and hard work he has put in over the past 12 months to return from his right ACL, ” Gardiner said.
Gardiner added that McInnes has shown “enormous resilience and positivity” in getting back to playing, and said the club’s entire program will be behind him every step of the way during recovery. That message reflects the reality of the situation: this is not just a short-term absence, but another major rehabilitation period for a player still trying to establish himself.
The official update also confirmed that reef mcinnes was taken with pick 23 in the 2020 draft. Since his debut in 2022, he has played 23 games, but has not managed more than nine games in any season.
What this means next
For Collingwood, the immediate focus turns to cover and continuity, while McInnes faces another extended spell away from the field. The club has not added further detail beyond the ACL diagnosis and recovery support, leaving the timeline for his return to be worked through over the coming months in ET-adjusted reporting terms. For now, the reef mcinnes injury is the latest harsh reminder of how quickly a promising season can turn.
