Harley Balic, a former Freo Dockers young gun, died just days after his 25th birthday.
Harley Balic, a former Fremantle Dockers midfielder and All-Australian under-18s player who was considered a top draft prospect in 2015, died just days after turning 25.
According to Nine’s Wide World of Sports, Balic died unexpectedly on Sunday morning, with police confirming that a report is being prepared for the coroner and that his death is not being viewed as suspicious.
Balic was picked up by Fremantle in his draft year, played four games for the AFL team in the 2017 season, before being traded to the Melbourne Demons ahead of the 2018 season. He retired prematurely from football by the end of 2018, after losing his love for the game.
He had been vocal about his mental health issues in the past and found it to be “an easy decision” to step away from AFL at the age of 21.
“It’s something I’m not going to regret, and I’m grateful to Melbourne for giving me a second chance,” Balic told the Melbourne Demons media at the time.
“I’ve always loved football, but my heart’s not in it and everything ends up being a grind and I think it’s just the right thing to do.”
Former teammates and others from the football world have paid tribute to Balic, sharing their recollections of the young footballer.
