title: Es Downey
text: # Es Downey
  
  Esmond Joseph Downey AM (11 August 1923 – 3 March 2011) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
  
  ## Career
  
  Downey, who went to Xavier College, was a centre half-back for Melbourne University, before joining Melbourne in 1944. He played 16 league games for Melbourne in the 1944 VFL season and at the end of the year was named "Best First Year Player" at the club awards. He later played for Old Xaverians, coaching them in 1950 and 1951.
  
  ## Later life
  
  Downey was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008, for "service to the community through a range of church, educational and aged care organisations."
  
  