Balard leaves Mariners for prospects abroad

Treble winning midfielder Max Balard is set to leave the Central Coast Mariners to pursue overseas opportunities.

Although Balard, 23, is contracted for another year on the Coast, at the time of signing that extension the club agreed to allow him a free transfer after the 2023/24 season if he wished to pursue an opportunity abroad.

This was in recognition of his exemplary service and dedication to the Mariners.

First arriving on the Coast in 2018 after being scouted from Hakoah Sydney City East, Balard worked his way through the academy system before making his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in January 2021.

He soon became a mainstay in the squad during the 2021/22 season, which finished with him playing all 90 minutes in the elimination final loss to Adelaide United.

Balard ultimately never lost another A-League finals match, collecting his first Isuzu UTE A-League championship the following season after starting in the 6-1 grand final victory over Melbourne City.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Balard reach even greater heights, playing a pivotal role in the Mariners’ treble win.

A last-minute goal to grab all three points against Melbourne City in April and a strike on the last day of the season against Adelaide helped the Mariners secure their first A-League premiership in more than a decade, with Balard missing just one of a possible 44 matches throughout the season.

He played all 120 minutes of the grand final win at Our Paradise, finishing his last campaign on the Coast as a back-to-back Isuzu UTE A-League champion, treble winner and Mariners medallist.