COLLINGWOOD'S worst fears have materialised, with scans confirming that Matthew Scharenberg will require a third knee reconstruction.

The cursed defender, who had been enjoying the best season of his injury-plagued career, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Magpies' loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

HOWE HOPEFUL Concussed Pie on track to play

Compounding matters, the Pies also confirmed that star forward Jamie Elliott had sustained another hamstring injury in a VFL game on Sunday. 

Scharenberg, 23, will miss the rest of this season and likely the bulk of the 2019 season as he recuperates from a second reconstruction of his left knee.

The 23-year-old South Australian – the No. 6 pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft – had previously had his right knee reconstructed, and had also received surgery on both feet. 

He had finally gained some continuity to play 16 games this season, often playing an unfamiliar role as a key defender and performing well enough to earn a two-year contract extension.

The also luckless Elliott hurt his left hamstring in the dying stages of the VFL clash with North Melbourne in his second hit-out after returning from a similar issue.

The Pies are hopeful that the 25-year-old small forward, who is yet to play an AFL game this season, will make a full recovery by the end of the minor rounds.