FREMANTLE draftee Harley Balic is shaping as an exciting prospect for the Dockers in 2017 after making a remarkable recovery from a long-term wrist injury.
Balic, 19, was a member of the NAB AFL Academy in 2015 and was named an under-18 All Australian following an outstanding carnival playing for Vic Metro.
But the talented midfielder suffered a serious wrist injury that curtailed the rest of his 2015 season and was unable to participate in the draft combine.
His draft stocks slid due to the injury and the Dockers were able to secure him with pick No.38, although his wrist problem was a major concern.
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Balic was unable to train all pre-season and needed further surgery early in the year.
However, he has been able to return to football late in the season and is set to play a pivotal role for Fremantle's WAFL affiliated club Peel Thunder in Sunday's WAFL Grand Final, against Subiaco at Domain Stadium.
Peel took a risk by naming Balic in the WAFL reserves team for three weeks without him being able to play, in order to qualify him for the finals.
He played his first game in 12 months in the WAFL reserves in round 22 and racked up 30 disposals and a goal. Since then he's averaged 19 disposals in four games for Peel's league side, three of which have been finals.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said Balic looks a great prospect for the Dockers given what he has shown after such a long layoff.
"He's come off a very limited preparation, he looks like he's top-end talent," Shepherd said.
"His attitude has been strong. He's grown and developed every game. We're looking forward to him having a wonderful experience in the Grand Final and I think he'll blossom into a fine player in 2017."
Fremantle youngster Darcy Tucker shares a house with Balic. The two Victorians knew each other well before being drafted together last year.
Tucker said Balic had shown real resilience to push through the long months in rehab.
"It would have been very hard," Tucker told AFL.com.au.
"He's stayed strong. The whole time for 12 months he wasn't doing any training, he was just running flat out.
"So it was a very long time in the rehab group. He's put in that hard work and he's been able to come back the last part of the year and obviously make an impact, which was really good for him and his development."
Balic was the only one of Fremantle's 2015 draft intake not to play in AFL this season, but all four will play in the WAFL Grand Final. Mature age recruits Shane Yarran and Sam Collins will also feature on Sunday.
