Harley Balic

Harley Balic
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-01-05)5 January 1997
Date of death 9 January 2022(2022-01-09) (aged 25)
Original team(s) 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(s) 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

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).

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]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2018 season[10]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2016 Fremantle 24 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2017 Fremantle 24 4 3 1 26 26 52 13 13 0.8 0.3 6.5 6.5 13.0 3.3 3.3
2018 Melbourne 27 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Career 4 3 1 26 26 52 13 13 0.8 0.3 6.5 6.5 13.0 3.3 3.3

References

  1. ^ "Going places: 'Nothing will be the same again'". afl.com.au.
  2. ^ Amy, Paul (25 November 2015). "He went later than expected in the draft but Harley Balic has joined Fremantle Dockers". Mordialloc Chelsea Leader. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Fremantle Club statement". fremantlefc.com.au. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ Quartermaine, Braden (6 April 2017). "Harley Balic, Griffin Logue to debut for Fremantle against Western Bulldogs". PerthNow. Seven West Media. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Harley Balic club statement". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Balic joins Melbourne from Freo". melbournefc.com.au. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Harley Balic retirement". 2 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Ex-Docker Harley Balic dies aged 25". PerthNow. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Father of late AFL player Harley Balic hits out at league in heartbreaking claim". Fox Sports. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Harley Balic". AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 October 2017.