Season over: Essendon ruckman David Hille requires a knee reconstruction.

Hille was injured early in the opening quarter of the Bombers' five-point Anzac Day win over Collingwood at the MCG, clutching his knee in agony after he jumped to grab a high pass.

The Bombers confirmed on Sunday Hille had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and would undergo knee reconstruction.

"He will have an operation soon and will begin his rehabilitation immediately after that," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"This is very disappointing for David because he is one of our strong leaders on and off the field and we are going to miss him.

"We now need some young players to step up and this has been a focus of ours this season - we expect our young players to fill the gap if something like this occurs."

Hille, the club's reigning best and fairest, is Essendon's only seasoned ruckman and his loss creates a huge void in a side.

The Dons used regular defender Patrick Ryder in the ruck as a pinch-hitter to great effect in Saturday's win.

With No.2 ruckman Jason Laycock also out injured, the Dons look set to promote teenager Tom Bellchambers to replace Hille long-term.

AAP