Melbourne youngster Harley Balic has announced his retirement from the AFL, effective immediately.

The 21-year-old played four games for the Dockers in 2017 before switching to the Demons, although he's failed to register a senior appearance with Melbourne this season.

Balic told the club's website he'd lost his passion for the game.

โ€œIt was an easy decision in the end, as Iโ€™ve thought about it for a little while now,โ€ Balic toldย Melbourne Media.

โ€œItโ€™s something Iโ€™m not going to regret and Iโ€™m very appreciative to Melbourne for letting me come to the club for a second chance.

โ€œIโ€™ve always loved football, but my heartโ€™s not in it and everything ends up being a grind and I think itโ€™s just the right thing to do.

โ€œThe [clubโ€™s] VFL and AFL [teams] are both going to be successful this year and itโ€™s something Iโ€™d love to be a part of, if I loved it, but unfortunately I donโ€™t and itโ€™s time to go out into the real world and see what else is out there for me.โ€

MORE TO COME.