Mature-aged rookie Tyrone Downie appears to have put a frustrating start to his time on the Gold Coast behind him following a successful return to the field in Saturday morning’s NEAFL practice match against Southport.
The 26-year-old was plucked from the now defunct Bendigo Gold in the Victorian Football League last December, but has been plagued by a lingering knee complaint since returning to training post-Christmas.
After a promising maiden appearance in a Gold Coast SUNS guernsey, which included two goals in the opening quarter against the Sharks, Downie is confident his injury woes are now behind him.
“It was obviously exciting to get out and have a kick with the boys and get through with no injury concerns is obviously a big positive,” Downie told SUNS TV on Monday.
“It just sort of flared up over the Christmas period. We’ll manage it over the rest of the season, most of it is behind me, I don’t think we’ll have any issues from now.”
Having previously coached his own senior outfit – Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo Football League – Downie is a unique tale in a well-worn game.
While most footballers are drafted as teenagers and moulded within the confines of an elite sporting environment, the lightly built Bendigo product brings with him real-life experience. Something that makes him a valuable commodity at a club with such a young age profile.
“Taking on a coaching role in Bendigo at sort of a young age probably matured me as a footballer and made me look at the game in different ways," Downie said.
READ: Big win for SUNS in NEAFL practice match
“Instead of just about chasing the footy and trying to get a kick yourself, (you are) worrying about what else is going on around the ground. It’s definitely helped my footy.
“I think it’s a reason why I’m on board is because of my experience and obviously had a coaching role at Bendigo last year as well.
“(I’ve) sort of come along with that experience and hopefully show some leadership on the field and work with the young forwards and the younger players in the NEAFL and go from there.”
After moving to Bendigo in 2007 to play with the Bendigo Bombers, injuries ruined Downie’s first stint in the VFL. He then decided to return to state league level for the 2014 season after plying his trade in the local Bendigo competition.
Under the tutelage of former St Kilda star Aussie Jones, Downie crafted an eye-catching season despite the Gold’s inability to win a game all year, which ultimately resulted in the club’s demise.
“I just signed at Bendigo because I wanted to have a crack at VFL footy and just play the best footy I could, which was why I moved to Bendigo when I was a young fella in first place,” Downie said.
“So it was good to just get out there and play some good VFL footy and then lucky enough then to get the opportunity (at the SUNS).”
