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
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

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

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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

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  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.
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