The 22-year-old has managed 34 AFL matches since being elevated from the Magpies' rookie list at the end of 2006.
And had it not been for the odd dose of bad luck along the way, he would have played more.
"I can remember last year I was always vying for a spot from someone and never could grab a spot and hold it," Toovey said.
When he did force his way into the team late in the season, fate was not on the young Western Australian's side.
Playing against the Sydney Swans in round 21, and with the Pies on the eve of another finals berth, Toovey accidentally trod on an opponent's boot and broke a bone in his own foot.
The injury meant he was not only deprived of his first trip back to his home state to play in the black and white, but he also robbed of a finals guernsey.
His pre-season was also slightly set back by the injury, but that hasn't stopped Toovey from kicking on in 2009.
He has played 17 of a possible 18 matches this year, along the way ticking off that trip back to WA in a Magpies jumper.
"It's good to be in the side and I've kind of held my spot in there and I'm now playing fairly consistent footy," he said.
"It's not like it's easy to get a spot, so it's been great. To play as many games in a row as I have, I'm fairly happy."
His only hiccup came following the Pies' round-two win over Melbourne, when he was dropped.
That next week, luck turned his way.
Following his omission from the senior side, Toovey went back to the VFL and "played okay". Meanwhile, at senior level, teammate Ben Johnson suffered a broken leg, opening the door for the left-footer to return.
"It worked out all right for me, but it was no good for him," Toovey said.
Johnson has since returned, and while some Pies fans might once have thought it unlikely the two would regularly play together in the same side, it has proved a winning combination.
And while Toovey's time at senior level has increased, so too has his popularity among the Magpie Army.
Whether he be laying a tackle across half-back or flying out of defence – almost to the point where his body looks to be struggling to keep up with his legs – Collingwood fans have come to love the sight of the No.34 dashing from defence.
While "Toooooooves!" can often be heard upon such a sight, the man himself disputes his following has reached cult status.
"That's probably my favourite part of the game – getting the ball, using my pace and running with it," he said.
"That's probably the most enjoyable part about playing footy for me. I probably don't do it enough.
"Sometimes when I get it you can hear the crowd yell out. It's good to hear the crowd barracking for you, not bagging you."
With his spot in the Pies' 22 assured – at least for now – the stopper is intent on seeing the 2009 season through.
Collingwood, like last season when Toovey's season went pear-shaped, again meets the Swans in round 21. While not superstitious, the emerging defender admitted he had browsed the fixture and noticed the coincidence.
"It was at the Dome, though," Toovey was quick to point out, highlighting the fact that 2009 would not see any Groundhog Day for him.
"This time I think we've got them at the 'G.
"With finals just around the corner … I've got to make sure I'm playing well and not slacking off at all because I know there are a lot of guys who are wanting to get a spot.
"Hopefully I keep playing well and don't have to worry about it."
