Essendon forward Josh Begley has suffered a knee injury in the opening quarter of the ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood on Wednesday.

Midway through the first quarter, Begley attacked the ball at a contest in the centre square and pulled up sore as a result.

He was helped off the field by club trainers, before being seen with an ice pack on his right knee right before the quarter time siren.

Begley won't return to the field, meaning the Bombers will be a man down for the final three quarters.