It is remarkable to think Harley Balic was primarily playing basketball until just over a year ago.
Fremantle’s pick 38 in the Tuesday’s NAB AFL Draft was forced to chose between his two passions, football or basketball, at just 17.
The gifted athlete had spent much of his youth juggling both sports.
“I grew up playing basketball and athletics in Melbourne,” Balic told fremantlefc.com.au.
“Sport was my life and I swapped between footy and basketball.
Pick 38 - Harley Balic
“I had just turned 17, when I had to chose one before the football pre-season started.
“I quit basketball, chose footy and never looked back.”
Balic said football offered him the most opportunities.
“I got given opportunities with the Australian Institute of Sport and Vic Metro,” he said.
“I thought I could take it somewhere, it became a realistic goal.”
The Sandringham Dragons product was in Adelaide to watch the draft with his family and his girlfriend.
“I was very nervous but was pretty relieved when my name was read out,” he said.
Going places: Balic
“There was a lot of emotion going through my head, everyone was excited for me.”
Balic said he was looking forward to heading to Perth.
“I hear it’s great weather, I’m tipping it’ll be better than Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m excited to start a new journey.”
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What the recruiters said
Harley showed glimpses of real talent as a bottom-age player in 2014 and it was anticipated that he’d step up and have a strong year in 2015.
Unfortunately, Harley was diagnosed with a scaphoid fracture, which he carried for most of the year.
It compromised his ability to train, prepare and play.
Harley’s size and athletic ability means he’s highly versatile in a number of different positions.
He’s spent the majority of his time playing as a high half-forward, but he’s looked very comfortable across half-back.
With further development, he could develop into a midfielder at the next level too.
