(Image: Getty)
GWS ruckman Tom Downie has announced his retirement from football.
Downie has spent time away from the club to deal with a mental health issue.
On Friday he announced he would step away from football, after playing nine games for the club.
“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," he told gwsgiants.com.au.
“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."
GWS general manager of football Wayne Campbell praised Downie's contribution to the club.
"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," 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."