Harley Balic
Australian rules footballer (1997–2022)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harley Balic (5 January 1997 – 9 January 2022) was a professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
| Harley Balic | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Born | 5 January 1997 | ||
| Died | 9 January 2022 (aged 25) | ||
| Original team | Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 38, 2015 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 3, 2017, Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs, at Domain Stadium | ||
| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lb) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2016–2017 | Fremantle | 4 (3) | |
| 2018 | Melbourne | 0 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Balic was born in Sandringham and grew up in Mordialloc. His father Eddie was of Bosnian descent, and his mother Nancy was of Italian and German descent.[1] Balic played for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and was drafted by Fremantle with their second selection and 38th overall in the 2015 national draft.[2] In 2016, he was a member of the Peel Thunder premiership team, collecting 20 disposals in the WAFL Grand Final.[3]
Balic made his AFL debut in the sixteen-point win against the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium in round three of the 2017 season.[4] After playing four games for the Dockers in 2017, he was placed on indefinite leave for "personal reasons".[5] Later that year, Balic requested a trade home to Victoria and was traded to Melbourne in October.[6] In August 2018 at the age of 21, Balic retired after losing passion for the game.[7]
Balic died on 9 January 2022, four days after his 25th birthday.[8] After his death, Balic's father indicated he had died due to a battle with drug addiction.[9]
