Tributes have begun pouring out for ex-AFL player Harley Balic, who passed away on Sunday, aged 25.
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Balic, who celebrated his birthday four days earlier, was drafted for the Fremantle Dockers in 2015 and the following year was part of the winning premiership team for Peel Thunder.
Balic was traded from Fremantle to Melbourne in 2017 after announcing he was "homesick". During that time he was a vocal advocate about the mental health struggles he experienced.
His first year with the Dockers didn't go to plan, as a wrist injury kept him off the field the entire season, but he persisted - recovering to play four games.
"I played a couple of games which I was happy with but then it sort of just got a bit much in terms of how I was feeling," he told the Melbourne Football Club at the time.
"I thought I would come back and regather myself and hopefully get another contract here sort of where I know I'd thrive and really enjoy my footy."
Balic announced his retirement from the game in 2018, saying his heart was no longer in it, but he continued to be a beloved figure within the community and among his peers.
Ex-Docker Harley Bennell, who had played alongside Balic, took to Instagram to express his love and condolences.
"RIP my little HB," Bennell wrote. "I'll always love you little brother."
AFL's chief photographer Michael Willson also paid tribute to Balic, posting a pensive and powerful photo he had taken of him with the caption 'RIP Harley Basic'.
The tributes continue to pour in with the entire AFL community mourning the great loss.
Balic's death is not being treated as suspicious.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Samantha Ferguson
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
