Dowling, an engineer by profession, played as an amateur during his league career. He was on the wing for Collingwood in both the 1937 and 1938 VFL Grand Finals, which they lost. A suspension cost an appearance in a third successive grand final in 1939, having been found guilty of striking Melbourne player Keith Truscott in the semi-final.The Argus,"League Men Out", 20 September 1939, p. 18
