First-year Fremantle player Harley Balic will have no inhibitions when he makes his first appearance of the year for Peel Thunder Reserves at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.
Balic was selected by Fremantle with pick 38 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft and is yet to play a game in 2016 after recovering from wrist surgery.
Speaking ahead of his first competitive hit out since July 25 last year, the 19-year-old noted his eagerness to re-enter the fray.
“I’m a little bit nervous, having not played for about a year now but I’m excited to go out there and have fun and enjoy the moment, really,” Balic said.
“I don’t need to improve too much, I just need to get back into the feel of things.”
“I’m going to be on limited game time… but first and foremost I want to go out there and enjoy myself without the stresses of anything external.
“It would obviously still be good to get some runs on the board and play well, but I just really want to enjoy the moment.
“I haven’t played for so long and you sort of forget the feeling of what it’s like to play footy.”
While limited in his capacity to use his hands, Balic spent his time away from the track developing other elements of his game.
He said rehabilitation was initially frustrating, but still presented opportunities to improve.
“It was a little bit of a struggle at the start when I was new to the club and all I really wanted to do was get out there and train,” Balic said.
Players lining up for Peel: Saturday 20 August
“It also gave me an opportunity to work on other sides of my body and my game and my knowledge, which a few of the other boys might not have been able to do.
“I worked on my hips and groins and things like that.
“Obviously I would’ve loved to have been out there but I’ve had a few small accomplishments this year that hopefully put me in good stead for next year.
Balic – also a promising junior basketballer – made the decision to pursue football after he was selected as a bottom-aged player for TAC Cup side Sandringham Dragons in 2014.
In that competition, he became recognised for his clean hands and composure in congestion.
The utility has developed an ability to play all over the ground.
“I’m a bit of a hybrid – I go down back or up forward and I don’t mind playing in the midfield as well,” Balic said.
“I’d like to train my body to hopefully in the future be an inside or outside running mid, but I’m happy to play where the club needs me at the time.”
