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Former AFL Player Harley Balic Dies At Just Days After Turning 25 Years Old

Home> News

Updated 03:17 11 Jan 2022 GMTPublished 03:10 11 Jan 2022 GMT

Former AFL Player Harley Balic Dies At Just Days After Turning 25 Years Old

The AFL community is in shock at the sudden death.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

The AFL community is in mourning after it was revealed ex-Fremantle Dockers and Melbourne Demons midfielder Harley Balic had sadly passed away.

Tributes have come flooding in from family, friends, fans and former teammates who are all paying their respects to the talented and much-loved athlete.

A statement from Victoria Police confirmed Balic was found dead at a hotel in Highett in Melbourne's south east, adding that his death was not being treated as suspicious.

He had only just turned 25 years of age.

AFL/Fremantle

Former AFL star Harley Bennell took to social media to post a photo of himself with ex-Fremantle teammates Balic and Shane Yarran, captioning it: "Rest easy my 2 brothers."

Bennell also uploaded an Instagram story, saying: "RIP my little HB... I'll always love you little brother."

Collingwood AFLW co-captain Steph Chiocci also shared her thoughts via Twitter.

"Saddened to hear of the passing of Harley Balic," she said.

"A former Parkdale SC student and one of the most talented junior footballers I had the pleasure of witnessing. So athletic and agile and could run all day. Rest easy, Harley."

Balic was drafted by Freo with Pick 38 in the 2015 AFL Draft, making four appearances for them before being traded to the Demons for Pick 65 in 2017.

But just one year into his time with Melbourne, Balic announced his shock retirement from the game, saying that his 'heart's not in it'.

"It was an easy decision in the end, as I've thought about it for a little while now," he said back in in 2018.

"It's something I'm not going to regret and I'm very appreciative to Melbourne for letting me come to the club for a second chance.

"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."

Balic has also spoken openly about his struggles with mental health.

"The way I left football, unfinished, left me lost in the world," he told Leader newspaper in 2020.

"That brought on depressing episodes and things like that. Getting to the highest level, which you'd dedicated your whole life to, and then all of a sudden being a nobody, I found that pretty challenging."

Rest In Peace, Harley.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.

For further information about depression, contact beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.

Featured Image Credit: AFL/Melbourne Demons

Topics: Australia

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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@maxysherry

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