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 and a contract extension. In 2014 his contract was again extended, keeping him at the Giants until at least the end of 2016. 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. 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. Due to a struggle with anxiety, he was then moved to Greater Western Sydney's long-term injury list before deciding to leave football altogether. He was then recruited by VFL team Williamstown and, up until the end of 2022, has played 22 games and kicked 6 goals, winning the Gerry Callahan Medal for the best and fairest player for Williamstown in 2022 and making the VFL Team-of-the-Year. ==Personal life==