Harley Balic Retires

[Ethan Tremblay 30,962]

17 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Maybe he should have cut ties earlier then. 

If he quit after round 2 you’d be whinging about him giving up too soon.

Must have been a tough decision for the young fella, I have nothing but respect for him. 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Ethan Tremblay

[Nasher 33,617]

2 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Maybe he should have cut ties earlier then. 

Don’t think I’m the only one having a very hard time seeing where you are coming from. 

[WERRIDEE 5,503]

I thought he was gone once JKH started to get games. Good luck for the future. Looks like the delistings will be minimal Pedo, Bugg and Balic.

[hardtack 10,625]

2 hours ago, Win4theAges said:

Obviously didnt give a toss, you've got 6 weeks of a season left to play with a team that is top of the table.

[censored] poor effort in my book.

 

 

[censored] poor post in my book. 

[chook fowler 19,519]

He’s a good age to move on in a different direction. I really hope the Club supports him in this. Good on him for making a tough but realistic call.

[Wrecker45 3,378]

Was told by a family member of Balic's that he never had the mental health issues implied by the speculators.

Constantly on the injury list at Freo and never bonded with the players because he was in rehab during the week at training and outside football the others liked to bond over a drink and Balic does not drink.

Wish him well but never trust anyone who doesn't drink. 

[obbafan 128]

As a young boy with footy talent it's all about how you're going to be an AFL star. The further you go the greater the expectation. It becomes all about SHOULD. What you really are and want becomes submerged beneath the expectation of others. Family pride in your achievements, the admiration of mates, representing the school. Who you really are becomes secondary to the expectation of living up to the responsibility of delivering to an ever increasing number of people who have no understanding or interest in who you really are. You are a vehicle for the self gratification that others gain from their association to you.

You are a brave man Harley both for persisting despite it not being what you want and then having the courage to say enough. I hope ditching this burden leads to a happy and productive life. Best wishes. 

[Earl Hood 6,101]

27 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Maybe he should have cut ties earlier then. 

The timing of this announcement is a bit bizarre for me. I thought I saw him at training today?  I remember watching him at training preseason and he was often gasping for air, obviously physically underdone early but then of recent times he has looked very comfortable at training, moves well and executes well. Is playing well with Casey and has a finals campaign ahead, why pull the pin this early? Where is the grind in VFL/AFL once you have worked up your fitness to acceptable levels as he has done? Us mere mortals will never understand. 

[Wrecker45 3,378]

3 minutes ago, obbafan said:

 What you really are and want becomes submerged beneath the expectation of others. Family pride in your achievements, the admiration of mates, representing the school. Who you really are becomes secondary to the expectation of living up to the responsibility of delivering to an ever increasing number of people who have no understanding or interest in who you really are. You are a vehicle for the self gratification that others gain from their association to you.

 

I think you will find that is not the case with Balic who was more of a loner rather than someone with people hanging off him.

[obbafan 128]

May be true. Just reckon that many talented kids find themselves living out the expectations of others. There is this guilt thing of wasted talent. Not a good life if it doesn't suit and these are people with many different interests and abilities. Never a problem for me I must say. Mental health issues are being mentioned more often and perhaps persisting due to this now being seen as a lucrative career choice despite being incompatible with the associated life style is a significant factor. The feeling of being inadequate.

[Earl Hood 6,101]

54 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

Was told by a family member of Balic's that he never had the mental health issues implied by the speculators.

Constantly on the injury list at Freo and never bonded with the players because he was in rehab during the week at training and outside football the others liked to bond over a drink and Balic does not drink.

Wish him well but never trust anyone who doesn't drink. 

KB did all right on the footy field. But never drank! 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Earl Hood

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,708]

37 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

The timing of this announcement is a bit bizarre for me. I thought I saw him at training today?  I remember watching him at training preseason and he was often gasping for air, obviously physically underdone early but then of recent times he has looked very comfortable at training, moves well and executes well. Is playing well with Casey and has a finals campaign ahead, why pull the pin this early? Where is the grind in VFL/AFL once you have worked up your fitness to acceptable levels as he has done? Us mere mortals will never understand. 

Exactly, thank you Earl. Why now?

[Jaded No More 68,972]

I don’t get the angst. He is a kid. Jesus what the hell was I even doing at 21? Not committing to a career, a boyfriend or an outfit, that’s what! 

Footy is not something you can do unless you are in it 100% all the time. I don’t want someone being miserable at our club just as I don’t want someone taking up a spot on the list instead of a kid who really really has the drive and the passion required to succeed. It’s a win win. 

[dieter 3,325]

6 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Exactly, thank you Earl. Why now?

Ahem, who are we to ask?

It's his decision, or maybe it was the MFC's decision. Let's just wish him well. People who feel 'outside' not only need our acceptance, they need our support as well. We'll never know, perhaps, but I wish the man all the very best.

[buck_nekkid 6,046]

2 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Exactly, thank you Earl. Why now?

Maybe it was a far as he could go?  If he was finding it a challenge to get up and about for training and playing it is a long season.  He has been contributing at Casey, and perhaps he his his limit?  If he has no future (as either he or the club saw it) in football, then why keep hitting up when it doesn't count for anything?  Good luck with whatever lies ahead, HB

[Deestar9 1,647]

3 hours ago, Hell Bent said:

He`s a young man dealing with mental health issues which have probably had a fair bit to do with his decision. There is far more to life than footy.

I`d say your post is a poor effort in my book.

I posted a comment when he was first drafted & was shot down in flames.....absolutely same scenario is why he is retiring......so I’d say your post is quite ill informed 

[Wrecker45 3,378]

56 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

KB did all right on the footy field. But never drank! 

Trevor Barker did well playing drunk. I'm not talking about isolated incidents just as a general rule don't trust non drinkers.

It's worked out pretty well for us with max gawn and Scully.

[Drunkn167 5,093]

Gotta feel for the bloke. Football is a tough life that a lot of people don't seem to appreciate just how hard it can be. From all reports he is a ripper of a bloke and well liked, and he definitely had shown glimpses of some great talent, but unfortunately it hasn't worked out.

Hoping he has good luck going into the future and it all works out for him.

[What 18,810]

3 hours ago, Win4theAges said:

Exactly, thank you Earl. Why now?

Because he has had enough of footy.  Simple.

Good luck to him.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Wow AFL a grind the kid does not know what a grind is, a grind is working for $18.55 an hour and the boss complaining he is over paying you. I hope the kid is smart  and can get a good job, otherwise he might give up on life. Wish him well.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

Football isn't for everyone, and neither is high level sport. It is cut throat competitive and the demands are rigorous. It is not the type of thing one does if their heart isn't fully invested, or that they do not have the desire. There are many footy players on club lists who are going through the motions and just doing what is required. There has to be a 'will' to want to do it, and 'want' to succeed at doing it. In the end Balic neither had the 'will' to play on or the 'want' to succeed. Perhaps his heart was not in it. There is no disgrace in that. High level sport isn't for everyone. If it were easy we'd all be doing it. Good luck to Balic.

[Rogue 585]

1 hour ago, don't make me angry said:

Wow AFL a grind the kid does not know what a grind is, a grind is working for $18.55 an hour and the boss complaining he is over paying you. I hope the kid is smart  and can get a good job, otherwise he might give up on life. Wish him well.

I get where you're coming from, but I reckon there are some unique pressures involved with working - yes, it's a job - as an elite athlete and that not everyone can hack it. It's a job, and one you're doing 24/7 until you're thrown on the scrapheap or retire - pretty different to working a low-responsibility 9-5 gig. I understand there are obviously still pressures that come with 'typical' jobs, and especially if you're struggling to make ends meet, but as Jaded pointed out he's just 21. Easy to forget how young a lot of footballers are.

A shame for Balic that it didn't work out, but he gave it a second crack and can now move on with his life. If he's been struggling with the decision for a while - and I imagine he has - then hopefully this is a weight off his shoulders. I'm sure a few of the armchair supporters who reckon they'd sell a kidney to play AFL would be surprised to find it's not as enjoyable as they expected.

As for the Club, we took a punt with pick 65 and I'm comfortable with that. It doesn't always work out, so now we move on to the next prospect. Might help one of the guys who are on our list and borderline; otherwise a new recruit will get his chance.

Edited August 2, 2018 by Rogue

[SPC 3,551]

Sorry to be negative, but I get sick of blokes at our club retiring ‘in season’. Harry and Mitch also did the same. Costs us a spot on the list. 

[SFebes 4,884]

Must really be over it to retire on the verge of success at Casey. But all the best, if your heart isn't in it then make the call. Thanks and best wishes.

[Coq au vin 755]

Did Balic get any games at Casey? Was he any good?