SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 29: Cameron Wood of the Blues and Tom Downie of the Giants compete during the 2015 AFL round 22 match between the GWS Giants and the Carlton Blues at Spotless Stadium, Sydney, Australia on August 29, 2015. (Photo by Anthony Pearse/AFL Media)
Foundation Greater Western Sydney player Tom Downie has announced his retirement to focus on his mental health.
Downie was placed on the club's long term injury list earlier this year to deal with a mental health issue and took some time away from the club, before deciding to walk away from the game.
“I’ve been dealing with anxiety for a long period of time and retiring from football gives me the best opportunity to focus on my mental health," Downie said.
“I’d lost my passion to train and play which made it impossible to give everything that is required as a professional athlete.
“I hope that in making this decision, I can help others dealing with similar issues and make them more comfortable in speaking out.
“The club has been fantastic in how they’ve supported me and I’ve made many lifelong friends at the Giants.”
Downie, 24, played nine games with the club after being recruited with pick No.56 in the 2011 National Draft.
"Tom joined the Giants as a foundation player and has had a significant impact on the club both on and off field over the past six years," GWS general manager of football Wayne Campbell said.
"Everyone at the Giants completely support Tom’s decision knowing it is in the best interests of his wellbeing. What Tom is dealing with isn’t unique, but it does mean football is very much secondary in his life at the moment.
"Tom’s a terrific young man and a very popular member of the playing group who’ll always be welcome at the Giants."
Downie is contracted with the club until the end of 2018, but the Giants will release him at the end of this season.