His wish was granted, and he spent the rest of 2006 with Williamstown in the VFL, his efforts out of the back pocket earning him promotion to the senior list at season's end.

In 2009, he won favour with the coaching staff with his relentless attack at the football and player and his never say die attitude.

He played every game, becoming a crucial part of the Collingwood backline[3] as the club won its 15th AFL/VFL premiership.

[5] During the round five clash against Essendon in 2013, Toovey ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during an innocuous fall in the last quarter of the game.

[6] On 22 August 2016, he announced he would retire at the end of the season, along with 2010 premiership teammate Brent Macaffer.