Tom Downie

Tom Downie (born 27 April 1993) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL). A ruckman standing 203 centimetres (6 ft 8 in), he was recruited by the club in the 2011 national draft with the 56th pick overall. Downie made his debut in round 20, 2013 against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.[1] He played a total of nine AFL games—one in 2013, seven in 2015, and one in 2016—before announcing his retirement in May 2017 in order to deal with mental health issues.[2]

Tom Downie
Personal information
Full name Thomas Downie
Date of birth (1993-04-27) 27 April 1993
Original team(s) North Ballarat Rebels (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 56, 2011 national draft
Height 203 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Weight 95 kg (209 lb)
Position(s) Ruckman
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2012–2017 Greater Western Sydney 9 (2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Before he started his professional football career, Downie played for Australia in the under-17 basketball world championships in 2010.[3] He switched focus to football and played two games for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup in 2011, showing potential as a ruckman but needing time to develop into a stronger AFL player. He was drafted by Greater Western Sydney with the 56th pick in the 2011 national draft.[4]

AFL career

Downie was inconsistent in 2012, playing for Greater Western Sydney's reserves side in the North East Australian Football League. He went into 2013 out of contract and in doubt over whether he'd be at the club any longer, but he improved his form and earned both an AFL debut in round 20 against Fremantle and a contract extension.[5] In 2014 his contract was again extended, keeping him at the Giants until at least the end of 2016.[6]

Through the rest of Downie's career, he was only ever used in the AFL as a replacement ruckman for when Shane Mumford was injured. His inexperience at the top level showed and, in general, the Giants suffered when Mumford wasn't available.[7] Downie had been suffering from anxiety and taking medication for it, but in 2016 he decided to wean himself off of it, thinking that he had recovered and no longer needed it. In a pre-season game in 2017 Downie walked off the ground having a severe panic attack.[8] Due to a struggle with anxiety, he was then moved to Greater Western Sydney's long-term injury list[9] before deciding to leave football altogether.[8]

Personal life

After quitting the AFL, Downie went through a "very dark time", but he recovered and went on to work with trouble children at his local Police Citizens Youth Club and encourage men suffering from poor mental health to speak out.[8]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2017 season[10]

Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles  H/O  Hit-outs
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T H/O G B K H D M T H/O
2013 Greater Western Sydney 441003141520.00.03.01.04.01.05.02.0
2015 Greater Western Sydney 4472015304518261540.30.02.14.36.42.63.722.0
2016 Greater Western Sydney 4410023522200.00.02.03.05.02.02.020.0
Career 9 2 0 20 34 54 21 33 176 0.2 0.0 2.2 3.8 6.0 2.3 3.7 19.6

References
  1. Brehaut, David (9 August 2013). "GWS Giants' Tom Downie makes debut". The Courier. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  2. GWS ruckman retires to focus on mental health; AFL
  3. "GWS big man Tom Downie club's latest debutant". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  4. Quayle, Emma (27 November 2011). "Done and drafted". The Age. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. Dampney, James (9 August 2013). "Debutant Downie a Giant on the up". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  6. Di Giorgio, Giulio. "Giants lock in two talls, including Tomlinson". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League.
  7. Cordy, Neil (26 June 2015). "GWS Giants must find ways to win without ruckman Shane Mumford in the side". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  8. Morphet, Jack (26 August 2017). "Tom Downie opens up about his battle with anxiety and depression after retiring". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  9. Curley, Adam (16 March 2017). "Giant placed on long-term injury list". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  10. Tom Downie's player profile at AFL Tables
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