One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: Go Richo 12 on January 01, 2025, 07:37:40 PM
-
At Mulwala, the place is notorious for fights.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-noah-balta-arrested-and-charged-with-assault-after-late-night-incident-c-17255215?utm_campaign=7sport&utm_content=7NEWS+Adelaide,7NEWS+Australia,7NEWS+Brisbane,7NEWS+Melbourne,7NEWS+Perth,7NEWS+Sydney&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TfGVk7IlaOTDwZ_se3lWo8TDFvDQ6_9Ui6B55EZFPLZR1rOcRXzLhmLE_aem_SrMEPp3KcUSSc6QlJvTDSA#cgo0ebq0y4540iqwfda8bgxlgkj3ruinr
-
Mitch Cleary's report on 7news tonight:
Watch: https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1874351703287607403
-
At Mulwala, the place is notorious for fights.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-noah-balta-arrested-and-charged-with-assault-after-late-night-incident-c-17255215?utm_campaign=7sport&utm_content=7NEWS+Adelaide,7NEWS+Australia,7NEWS+Brisbane,7NEWS+Melbourne,7NEWS+Perth,7NEWS+Sydney&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TfGVk7IlaOTDwZ_se3lWo8TDFvDQ6_9Ui6B55EZFPLZR1rOcRXzLhmLE_aem_SrMEPp3KcUSSc6QlJvTDSA#cgo0ebq0y4540iqwfda8bgxlgkj3ruinr
Richmond star Noah Balta arrested and charged with assault after late-night incident
By Ben Sutton
7news
1 Jan 2025
Richmond premiership star Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an alleged late-night incident in New South Wales.
Police were called to a sports club in Mulwala, near the border of Victoria and New South Wales, about 12.30am on Monday night.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed details of the incident that ended up with another man taken to hospital.
“NSW Police have just confirmed that Balta has been charged with assault over an alleged incident that led to another male being taken to hospital for a laceration to his head,” Cleary said.
“Balta then handed himself into police at the Mulwala Police station just before lunchtime on Tuesday.
“It’s understood Balta had been preparing to celebrate the New Year with family and friends.
“He has been given a conditional bail - to appear before Corowa Local Court on January 30 - right in the middle of the Tigers pre-season training.”
Police confirmed the victim was taken to hospital with a laceration to his head.
Richmond made the AFL aware of the incident, but will make no further comment.
The AFL’s integrity unit have been made aware of the incident and are expected to conduct their own investigation, but will leave in hands of police for now.
The incident comes just a few months after Balta signed a massive seven-year contract extension that locks him in at Richmond until the end of 2032.
The swingman, who has played 104 career games, including the 2020 premiership, is a crucial cog of the Tigers’ rebuild.
-
Well that starts the year off on the right foot. Probably presages things to come, maybe we will see a few fisticuffs during the year on the field too, hopefully.
-
It’s understood Balta handed himself into Mulwala Police just before lunchtime yesterday.
Given how fresh it is + a leave period for staff, Richmond will shortly work through next steps and whether Balta will return to pre-season training before his court date on January 30.
https://x.com/cleary_mitch/status/1874372139601846590
-
Unlike the Prestia/Lynch non-story this one looks like trouble
-
Not quite sure how one is arrested when they've hand themselves into police
-
If he's in the wrong a very lengthy club imposed suspension is probably on the cards.
-
If he's in the wrong a very lengthy club imposed suspension is probably on the cards.
Suspend the only good key defender on the list. Bold move
Play on
-
His off field intelligence actually matches his on field intelligence. :shh
-
If he's in the wrong a very lengthy club imposed suspension is probably on the cards.
Suspend the only good key defender on the list. Bold move
Play on
Opens up a spot for a kid, gives him time to well & truly get over any injury niggles, guarantees first pick in the MSD and good for our draft hand - what's not to like? #silverlinings :shh
-
When the aggressor is targeting you how do you walk away? :banghead
Biggest issue will be the media hyperventilation that follows. :shh
-
Don’t know the story but if he’s been charged it must be some what serious.
Pretty disappointing from a bloke who’s just signed for 7 years and is meant to be a leader of our club.
-
Sometimes you can get in trouble and you are just a victim of circumstance. AFL players become targets of idiots, Noah is a great bloke, hope it all works out OK.
-
Someone probably took a shot at him
-
Didn’t Marlion get charged?
How long was he suspended?
-
Didn’t Marlion get charged?
How long was he suspended?
He pleaded not guilty and IIRC though he did miss matches he wasn't officially stood down for any matches due to the charges. If Balta does likewise he shouldn't be either, on the other hand if does cop to the charges then I'd say he will face a suspension. :shh
-
I reckon it will be a tough charge to prove if there’s no real evidence ie phone. Therefore, likely that this is another storm in a teacup
-
sounds like more bs to me.
Play on.
-
DEVELOPING: The Tigers have made a call on a star defender in trouble with the law. Chief Football Reporter @cleary_mitch has the exclusive details. h#7NEWS
VIDEO: https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1876897589062455466
-----------------
Richmond make call on Noah Balta after AFL premiership player’s assault charge
By Glenn Valencich
7news
8 Jan 2025
Richmond have opted against banishing Noah Balta from pre-season training following his assault charge last week, 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed.
The AFL premiership player handed himself into NSW Police following an alleged incident that led to another man being taken to hospital for a cut to his head.
Balta was charged and given conditional bail, to appear before Corowa Local Court on January 30 — right in the middle of the Tigers’ pre-season program.
“Richmond had been waiting up whether to allow the premiership defender to return to Punt Road in the short term,” Cleary said on 7NEWS Melbourne.
“But he has been given the green light and will be with teammates when they’re back at training in the coming days.
“While he is permitted back the Tigers will work through any internal sanctions over the next 48 hours.”
The AFL integrity unit will undergo its own enquiries after the court proceedings to determine if Balta should be made available for Round 1 in March.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-make-call-on-noah-balta-after-afl-premiership-players-assault-charge-c-17324806
-
AFL to investigate alleged incident involving Tigers’ flag star
The AFL will investigate an incident that has resulted in assault charges against Richmond defender Noah Balta as he prepares to join his teammates on their return from pre-season training.
Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-to-investigate-richmonds-noah-balta-after-incident-involving-tigers-flag-star-ends-in-charge/news-story/81791c4ae6a9735430cc4056b552b7e9
-
AFL can FO.
It's a police matter.
-
It could be as simple as a scuffle, everyone goes home, Noah finds out the guy is in hospital the next day so goes into the cop shop.
Who knows the guy could have fallen over.
The AFL should stay right out of it.
-
Pathetic AFL investigate the corruption of that umpire what's happened there ? or the Essendon drug scandal covered up by senior administration.
-
AFL can FO.
It's a police matter.
Absolutely, he's been charged and it will be dealt with by the Police
-
4 weeks from the club.
Good strong statement imo because all these young blokes have to learn from this. poo will happen but you have to be smart and not get caught up in it.
-
:lol Give me a break.
Absolute garbage. Our ceo is the one who is weak as pee. Yze as well which is where this likely came from.
We need a coach who stands up to the afl not one who bows down and sucks up to them.
Load of horse poo.
-
Without knowing the details it's hard to say too much.
If he didn't start the scuffle then I'm appalled at the decision.
-
4 weeks :lol :lol :lol
Tanking early
-
He must have done something that the clubs knows about IMO.
-
Club Statement: Noah Balta
By Richmond Media
9 Jan 2025
Richmond has suspended Noah Balta following an off-season incident that has led to him being charged with assault.
Balta will miss the first four matches of the 2025 AFL season.
He will also miss both pre-season matches, complete education programming and undertake counselling.
Balta will continue to train at the Club during this period.
“Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident. He has assisted the NSW Police in their investigation and he is keen to have the matter concluded as soon as possible. While the outcome of the investigation and the charge will be a matter for the Police and the Courts, both Noah and the Club accept that players can't put themselves in these situations,” Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said.
“After thorough consideration - which included discussions with the player leadership group - we arrived at a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident and at the same time will help Noah address this behaviour.
“The Club will continue to support him through this period and our collective hope, and expectation, is that we will see the best of Noah on and off the field from this point on.”
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1706701/club-statement-noah-balta
-
Bit harsh for me
-
Ridiculous. And totally AFL driven. We’ve lost our balls since Benny left
Tyler Young probably baited him
-
Ridiculous. And totally AFL driven. We’ve lost our balls since Benny left
Tyler Young probably baited him
Looking at it from a different angle. Don't believe it is AFL driven at all but the Club acting and dishing out a punishment meaning the AFL really can't come in over the top and dish what they feel like to try and make one of their moral statements
He must have done something that the clubs knows about IMO.
Maybe it's just me but my first thought was Noah's obviously told them today exactly what's happened and the Club led by the senior leaders (players in particular) have acted and made their decision based on that. Simplistic? Perhaps but based on what's happened today seems logical
It's easy to pot the CEO, the coach but in 3 weeks we will know alot more when he faces court
4 weeks from the club.
Good strong statement imo because all these young blokes have to learn from this. poo will happen but you have to be smart and not get caught up in it.
Tend to agree with this, people last year lamented how standards throughout the entire Club had dropped. Maybe with so many young blokes coming through this is the reset to standards that is needed
FWIW my personal view is the penalty is too harsh but it is what it is
-
2 not enough.
3 ok IMO.
4 a strong message.
-
What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂
Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?
It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.
Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)
-
I agree 100% Damo and would add if we were a legitimate top 4 chance and not having one eye on another spoon we might in fact take a different approach.
Still think it’s weak as pee
-
What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂
Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?
It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.
Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)
just because you are found not guilty, it doesnt mean you didnt do it
-
What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂
Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?
It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.
Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)
Unless he's said to the Club he's in deep doo doos ;D
-
You can't go around hitting blokes.
The club would have enough detail to make a decision you would hope.
I support the sanction, well done to the club.
-
It's a hoax...(https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_lol.gif)
-
Perfect start to the season….
-
I don’t understand how anyone could have a problem with this.
Yes it’s harsh but we have to set the tone for all these 18 year olds.
It’s not about whether Balta is guilty or not (looks like hey actually may be)
It’s about allowing yourself to be in those positions, great lesson for the young blokes at Baltas expense and I’m 100% sure he would know that
-
I think if it was self defence or some other faultless incident the club would have done nothing.
To come out with 4 weeks, he has clearly IMO gone to the club and told them he's punched someone's lights out and they've probably advised him to turn himself into the police while they decide a ban.
-
I think if it was self defence or some other faultless incident the club would have done nothing.
To come out with 4 weeks, he has clearly IMO gone to the club and told them he's punched someone's lights out and they've probably advised him to turn himself into the police while they decide a ban.
Yep.
-
That club statement is exactly what I thought it would be. Obviously can’t comment on the incident as it’s a police matter, but it was always gonna be at the very least a “shouldn’t have put himself” in that situation sanction.
-
I feel as though the wind has been taken out of the club's sails with this incident and suspension.
-
Visited my brother in Mulwala today for a family lunch.
He's lived in Mul for about 40 or 50 years, since before the Ski Club was built.
He's a regular there and has mates who work there including in management.
When I asked about this he told me the following:
On the tiled deck outside (lakeside) a couple ordered a pizza and had it delivered to their table.
Balta's brother then hassled them to give him a piece of their pizza.
The bloke got fed up in the finish and pushed the brother away.
Balta then stepped in and belted the pizza man.
He then followed up with a couple more shots while the guy was on the ground.
It's been reported that the guy was treated in hospital for "lacerations to the head". We will find out in court what type of lacerations and the cause (the initial punch, hitting the ground from that or the follow up punches).
Regardless this is not likely to result in a dismissal of charges, the police would seem likely to follow through to trial and verdict.
My brother also said there would be plenty of witnesses and a lot of CCTV footage. He said there was CCTV "everywhere".
I think he told me previously that the club has a lot of CCTV as they were getting suit threats from customers who had done the wrong thing and then got into trouble and this allowed them to get a lot of those nuisance suits against the club or its employees dismissed. Youngish crowd, drunk and loud rock music is the norm at the Ski Club.
In a lot of these cases it is usually a member of the star player's group who seem to feel they are as entitled as the star and create problems with their feeling of entitlement.
The player is then the one to bear the cost - in Balta's case up around $250,000 for loss of 4 games and bonuses.
BTW I trust my brother's account as while it is second-hand gossip it would come informally from club management
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
Reminds me a lot of the Dusty chopstick incident
Judging things without the facts is never a good idea
Just ask KB
-
Not just KB but a few on here. :shh
If this was balta in 2019 he would never have been suspended straight away. Club has lost its way since Benny left. I mean when Bennys mind left for tassy.
These times I wish we had the old Dimma back. No way this would be handled like this under him
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
This is an internet forum.
As such there is a lot of gossip about incidents, much of it either plain wrong or misinformed.
"not out in the public domain". I would bet that every resident of Mulwala/Yarrawonga knows the full story of what happened, particularly since it has been reported in the national media.
I presume the court case will include CCTV footage and other evidence, notably from witnesses.
What I have posted to this forum will NOT be part of the case and since it will not be a jury case I don't think there is any relevant "prejudice".
There have been multiple postings here that voiced the idea that Balta and his brother were totally innocent and had been attacked.
That is prejudice based on the hope that one of our players was not at fault and nothing else.
As a result I posted what I believe to be the truth based on an informed source.
Your attack on me for my "prejudice" seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black.
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
This is an internet forum.
As such there is a lot of gossip about incidents, much of it either plain wrong or misinformed.
"not out in the public domain". I would bet that every resident of Mulwala/Yarrawonga knows the full story of what happened, particularly since it has been reported in the national media.
I presume the court case will include CCTV footage and other evidence, notably from witnesses.
What I have posted to this forum will NOT be part of the case and since it will not be a jury case I don't think there is any relevant "prejudice".
There have been multiple postings here that voiced the idea that Balta and his brother were totally innocent and had been attacked.
That is prejudice based on the hope that one of our players was not at fault and nothing else.
As a result I posted what I believe to be the truth based on an informed source.
Your attack on me for my "prejudice" seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black.
FWIW I have not seen one news article in print or on electronic media detailing what you have. Please feel free to post any link to what you've claimed happened in
We have also been very consistent removing posts that put that this site at risk of legal action. That is unsubstantiated rumours. At this time your post is borderline at needing to be removed. Just waiting on some legal feedback
You say the details have been bounded around in "national media". Outside of him being charged and conditionally bailed there isn't any details. Yes, Im sure everyone in Mulwala and Yarrawonga have heard versions of what happened, part and parcel of country towns.
I did not attack you, not even close. Just gave an opinion. In your world if that's an attack then sorry, but that's on you not me..
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
This is an internet forum.
As such there is a lot of gossip about incidents, much of it either plain wrong or misinformed.
"not out in the public domain". I would bet that every resident of Mulwala/Yarrawonga knows the full story of what happened, particularly since it has been reported in the national media.
I presume the court case will include CCTV footage and other evidence, notably from witnesses.
What I have posted to this forum will NOT be part of the case and since it will not be a jury case I don't think there is any relevant "prejudice".
There have been multiple postings here that voiced the idea that Balta and his brother were totally innocent and had been attacked.
That is prejudice based on the hope that one of our players was not at fault and nothing else.
As a result I posted what I believe to be the truth based on an informed source.
Your attack on me for my "prejudice" seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black.
You would loose that bet.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
-
If a player commits a criminal offence & admits it to the club because he knows he is guilty, is it weak or woke of the club to suspend that player?
In any other world the club would be seen to be strong & setting an example to all of its players (especially the young blokes) to give that player his right whack. What else should the club do - pretend it didn't happen because its a top player involved?
We aren't talking about breaking the rules of kiss chasey here, or breaking wind in church, we are talking about a potentially serious criminal offence ...
-
If RFC did not act in this world of where any social issue and social engineering is seen as more important than football, then the AFL with the media camp followers assisting will issue the penalty, which would likely be a lot more severe.
Just got to take your meds sometimes.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
Why the stuff would they declare what they know when there's a police investigation in process?
-
There is a reason why "details" of what allegedly took place are not out in public domain....
Talk about prejudicing someone's case ::)
This is an internet forum.
As such there is a lot of gossip about incidents, much of it either plain wrong or misinformed.
"not out in the public domain". I would bet that every resident of Mulwala/Yarrawonga knows the full story of what happened, particularly since it has been reported in the national media.
I presume the court case will include CCTV footage and other evidence, notably from witnesses.
What I have posted to this forum will NOT be part of the case and since it will not be a jury case I don't think there is any relevant "prejudice".
There have been multiple postings here that voiced the idea that Balta and his brother were totally innocent and had been attacked.
That is prejudice based on the hope that one of our players was not at fault and nothing else.
As a result I posted what I believe to be the truth based on an informed source.
Your attack on me for my "prejudice" seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black.
You would loose that bet.
Are they loose in Mulwala?
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
Why the stuff would they declare what they know when there's a police investigation in process?
Well why TF would they suspend him when the rationale for that suspension cannot be explained to members?
Cart before horse Andy. Don’t fall for the woke option which is the other way around.
-
While I get your point HRT
Would you rather the AFL dish out a penalty, which I've got no doubt would be harsher than what the Club has issued?
Not sure what you want the Club to declare when Balta hasn't had his day in court
They gave their reasons as to why he's been suspended by the Club, I get you don't like or agree with their reason but they have given a reason
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
Why the stuff would they declare what they know when there's a police investigation in process?
Well why TF would they suspend him when the rationale for that suspension cannot be explained to members?
Cart before horse Andy. Don’t fall for the woke option which is the other way around.
Why are you carrying on like the club is at fault here?
Noah clearly stuffed up and forced the club into an awkward position.
On a side note, “woke” has to be the most lazy, redundant and overused word going around.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
Why the stuff would they declare what they know when there's a police investigation in process?
Well why TF would they suspend him when the rationale for that suspension cannot be explained to members?
Cart before horse Andy. Don’t fall for the woke option which is the other way around.
Because they don't owe you an explanation when they fart.
$50 says when it's all said and done he will be found to have assaulted someone and the club acted on this but chose not to tell the holier than thou members whilst a police investigation was ongoing and balta due to face court.
-
What happened to innocent until proven otherwise?
I think it’s time clubs called the AFL’s bluff but standing firm on player rights until these things play out.
Charge him and have the trial. Let the thing play out.
Reading between the lines here, but it seems to me like Balta has come clean and admitted he did something wrong and the club gets the penalty out of the way ASAP instead of having it dragged out.
Yahuh
Exactly.
Club isn't being woke.
They're just being proactive and clearly know more than we do.
If they know something, just declare it. It’s woke to just suspend him with being more specific. FFS, if he’s done the wrong thing, declare it an announce he plans to plead guilty. Otherwise, it’s just jumping at shadows which is weak, insipid leadership
Why the stuff would they declare what they know when there's a police investigation in process?
Well why TF would they suspend him when the rationale for that suspension cannot be explained to members?
Cart before horse Andy. Don’t fall for the woke option which is the other way around.
Why are you carrying on like the club is at fault here?
Noah clearly stuffed up and forced the club into an awkward position.
On a side note, “woke” has to be the most lazy, redundant and overused word going around.
The club ARE at fault for not waiting until the facts are presented at court or in public and this is woke because it’s pandering to a super sensitive environment that cannot tolerate any controversy with professional athletes. It’s the perfect use of the word - you’re just institutionalised to it.
We can’t control what the AFL do but by doing something ourselves we are supporting them - not our player.
As I said, be strong and show leadership. If player has done something wrong, announce he will plead guilty at a presser, do your stupid sanction and move on.
Until then, leave it.
I find it quite bizarre that Richmond supporters are actually supportive of punishing a player who hasn’t been proven or confessed to doing anything wrong in a forum that allows us the evidence to make judgement.
-
Reckon you last sentence sums up why some people are OK with the sanction HRT
Yes it hasn't been proven he's guilty of anything in a court of law
Publicly, he hasn't confessed to anything but behind closed doors, within the 4 walls of the Club you don't think he hasn't told the Club what happened and what he did?
IMHO the club has acted on what Noah has told them about the incident. They have acted swiftly (again rightly IMHO). IMV that is leadership, Club has taken control of the situation rather than letting the media have a field day and HQ dictating how the Club should handle it
-
Then do it properly. Announce he will plead guilty, do the sanction and get it before the courts. Until then, we are all guessing.
-
It’s not difficult to comprehend that sometimes players admit to things that warrant a suspension before potentially-lengthy legal proceedings play out.
You are the one ”guessing” about a “woke” club reaction when you have no idea what discussions have transpired between player and club.
I’m happy back the club’s judgement on this issue. If you’re not then I guess we leave it there.
-
Willy - it’s simple. Give members the transparency around such a big decision - when was the last time we suspended a player for a month over an off field transgression.
Where does it end?
I don’t think transparency over such a big decision is a big deal.
-
I think the club has taken their transparency as far they should, the rest of the transparency will come from the legal proceedings.
-
There’s zero transparency - only a suspension.
-
There’s zero transparency - only a suspension.
Think you're a real minority on this one, even an outlier.
Nobody bar you seems to expect the club to disclose what Balta has told them prior to court proceedings lol.
-
Welcome to the “on your own” club HRT😁 , I may not agree but get where your coming from, I support and respect your right to have your own opinion , it’s not wrong it’s not right just a little different from mine today.
-
There’s zero transparency - only a suspension.
Think you're a real minority on this one, even an outlier.
Nobody bar you seems to expect the club to disclose what Balta has told them prior to court proceedings lol.
Then hold off suspending him! It’s that simple. If the AFL want to override the club, let them. In the end, it feels a little like we are doing their dirty work for them. I have a cracking story to tell about another club which was told by a player which highlights how the AFL almost take joy from overriding the club and acting themselves (or at least forcing their hand). This also happened in the off season. It was way worse and ironically could have been kept from the public but it was decided not to do that. A disgraceful way to treat employees who make the money for the competition!
I obviously cannot share that story but weak leadership is allowing others to impose themselves on you.
Guys, on occasion, it’s okay to be unpopular if it’s for the right reasons.
They had 2 choices - suspend and explain explicitly why or hold off until the judiciary process plays out.
We actually did it with Marlion Pickett and while the circumstances were a little different, the principle holds.
Anyway, I will leave it at that. I appreciate everyone has a different view and perhaps the posts are food for thought. If not, you know what they say about opinions!
-
Wonder what the Eagles will do if Liam Ryan is the man in the picture
-
Wonder what the Eagles will do if Liam Ryan is the man in the picture
His manager was breifly interviewed (more of a door stop leaving Eagles HQ) on the news (Ch7) last night admitted it was Ryan in the video.
Great first up test for McQualter as the new coach :shh :whistle
They've already released a nothing statement
https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/1707921/club-statement-liam-ryan
-
Wonder what the Eagles will do if Liam Ryan is the man in the picture
He is aboriginal so he must be treated differently
-
I think if he is treated differently it won’t be because of his skin colour
-
Noah's in court today
And has pleaded guilty
Source: HUN website
Expecting it to be sorted today (just my opinion)
-
Interesting.
Also interesting that we haven’t heard from the Eagles about actions on Liam Ryan…
-
Noah's in court today
And has pleaded guilty
Source: HUN website
Expecting it to be sorted today (just my opinion)
Any more news?
Bit concerned he's pleaded guilty. No self defense or retaliation aspect would be odd.
-
Noah's in court today
And has pleaded guilty
Source: HUN website
Expecting it to be sorted today (just my opinion)
Any more news?
Bit concerned he's pleaded guilty. No self defense or retaliation aspect would be odd.
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
-
Noah's in court today
And has pleaded guilty
Source: HUN website
Expecting it to be sorted today (just my opinion)
Any more news?
Bit concerned he's pleaded guilty. No self defense or retaliation aspect would be odd.
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
Where ?
-
Noah's in court today
And has pleaded guilty
Source: HUN website
Expecting it to be sorted today (just my opinion)
Any more news?
Bit concerned he's pleaded guilty. No self defense or retaliation aspect would be odd.
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
Where ?
Go find it
-
It’s on page 4 of this post
-
Richmond Tiger Noah Balta to be sentenced over border assault
ABC
30 Jan 2025
In short:
Suspended Richmond star Noah Balta has admitted to an assault following an incident that left a man in hospital with a head injury.
Balta entered a guilty plea over the incident in the NSW-Victoria border town of Mulwala on December 30.
What's next?
Balta will remain out on bail before being sentenced at Corowa Local Court on March 27.
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-30/richmond-tiger-noah-balta-to-be-sentenced/104876636
-
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
I think you mean alleged situation right?
What's next?
Balta will remain out on bail before being sentenced at Corowa Local Court on March 27
Genuinely surprised it wasn't finalised yesterday. Oh well
-
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
I think you mean alleged situation right?
Oh, Noah didn't just plead guilty after being charged with assault?
Yeah, the alleged incident that may have taken place...allegedly :huh
-
Visited my brother in Mulwala today for a family lunch.
He's lived in Mul for about 40 or 50 years, since before the Ski Club was built.
He's a regular there and has mates who work there including in management.
When I asked about this he told me the following:
On the tiled deck outside (lakeside) a couple ordered a pizza and had it delivered to their table.
Balta's brother then hassled them to give him a piece of their pizza.
The bloke got fed up in the finish and pushed the brother away.
Balta then stepped in and belted the pizza man.
He then followed up with a couple more shots while the guy was on the ground.
It's been reported that the guy was treated in hospital for "lacerations to the head". We will find out in court what type of lacerations and the cause (the initial punch, hitting the ground from that or the follow up punches).
Regardless this is not likely to result in a dismissal of charges, the police would seem likely to follow through to trial and verdict.
My brother also said there would be plenty of witnesses and a lot of CCTV footage. He said there was CCTV "everywhere".
I think he told me previously that the club has a lot of CCTV as they were getting suit threats from customers who had done the wrong thing and then got into trouble and this allowed them to get a lot of those nuisance suits against the club or its employees dismissed. Youngish crowd, drunk and loud rock music is the norm at the Ski Club.
In a lot of these cases it is usually a member of the star player's group who seem to feel they are as entitled as the star and create problems with their feeling of entitlement.
The player is then the one to bear the cost - in Balta's case up around $250,000 for loss of 4 games and bonuses.
BTW I trust my brother's account as while it is second-hand gossip it would come informally from club management
Real Richmond man is Noah. If this is true the weak dog deserves his 7yr contract torn up.
-
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
I think you mean alleged situation right?
Oh, Noah didn't just plead guilty after being charged with assault?
Yeah, the alleged incident that may have taken place...allegedly :huh
With respect the post you were referring to was posted before he pleaded guilty and it is one person's versions of events,
so in reference to the post you rate so highly it was at the time the alleged situation.
And BTW I have not found 1 article, news report about happened. If you have please feel free to post it
-
One of the best posters I have seen in 20 odd years on these forums posted an account of the situation from his brother. Based on that, I'm not surprised.
I think you mean alleged situation right?
Oh, Noah didn't just plead guilty after being charged with assault?
Yeah, the alleged incident that may have taken place...allegedly :huh
With respect the post you were referring to was posted before he pleaded guilty and it is one person's versions of events,
so in reference to the post you rate so highly it was at the time the alleged situation.
And BTW I have not found 1 article, news report about happened. If you have please feel free to post it
I said I wasn't surprised Noah pleaded guilty based on the post from someone I respect who has provided good insights in the past.
You took the ball and ran elsewhere with it.
-
I’m not saying it’s not true but I’d be surprised if the incident was as described so blatant and public that we didn’t see a single article written about it. In this day and age if it did go down as posted I would have thought it would be all over the news. I haven’t even seen 1 post about it outside of this forum in the cesspool that is social media where you generally read the most bizarre made up stories let alone something that did happen allegedly so publically.
-
Meanwhile. liam ryan whom we’ve all seen footage of and is currently in a good place. Yeah, suspension was a great proactive decision
-
Meanwhile. liam ryan whom we’ve all seen footage of and is currently in a good place. Yeah, suspension was a great proactive decision
Yeah you’re right. We should use the WCE as an example of how to handle problematic player behaviour, they’re worldwide leaders in that area.
-
We shouldn’t be led by the AFL either.
I love how the modern world has this voracious appetite to punish the young athlete.
Pathetic.
-
HRT, the guys pleaded guilty to assault. Did you want the club to just let it slide?
I could understand your case if he had pleaded not guilty but even then they could just play the ‘shouldn’t have put himself in that position’ card to justify the suspension. But he’s pled guilty and no doubt he informed the club of this prior to them dishing out the suspension, so what the problem?
-
I would just wait until we know all the facts. I appreciate Go Richo prefers we take the soft, woke action over the Eagles who are waiting for the noise to die down but my view is that once we all know everything it’s easier to join the dots on the punishment to the crime.
Why do we feel the need to jump so quickly to the punishment?
-
I’m not saying it’s not true but I’d be surprised if the incident was as described so blatant and public that we didn’t see a single article written about it. In this day and age if it did go down as posted I would have thought it would be all over the news. I haven’t even seen 1 post about it outside of this forum in the cesspool that is social media where you generally read the most bizarre made up stories let alone something that did happen allegedly so publically.
^^^^ this
-
I would just wait until we know all the facts. I appreciate Go Richo prefers we take the soft, woke action over the Eagles who are waiting for the noise to die down but my view is that once we all know everything it’s easier to join the dots on the punishment to the crime.
Why do we feel the need to jump so quickly to the punishment?
The one person who does know exactly what happened here is Noah
Don't you think he has told the Club "the facts" of what happened, what he did?
He said from the beginning confirmed via a club statement he was going to plead guilty.
Do you honestly think they club would have whacked him (pun intended) with a 4 match suspension if he had said like Ryan of the WCE has "I was provoked, they attacked me first" or "I didn't do it"? (that's how it was reported on the mews)
You keep using the Ryan case as example. IMHO it is a poor one. Ryan has used the time honoured WCE player defence when they get into trouble and that he was provoked.
Biggest single difference here is Noah admitted he stuffed up, that is the single biggest fact and when it is all said and done the only fact that actually matters.
So Rather than being critical of the Club perhaps give them, the player credit for being pro-active and avoiding a media circus which surely would have eventuated if the Club had sat on its hands and did nothing
-
Club moved way too quickly. Poor leadership, scared of the AFL’s shadow.
Wait until case is concluded and use those facts to then hand out the punishment.
Let me ask this - if the current administration were handling the dustin martin chopsticks incident would they have jumped quickly? I reckon they would.
I’ve never said don’t suspend only wait until the facts are public to allow the club to PROPERLY inform their members.
I am in total agreement with the Eagles approach providing they explain the basis of the punishment or not.
People love jumping on people these days like it’s a blood sport - it’s pathetic.
-
I would just wait until we know all the facts. I appreciate Go Richo prefers we take the soft, woke action over the Eagles who are waiting for the noise to die down but my view is that once we all know everything it’s easier to join the dots on the punishment to the crime.
Why do we feel the need to jump so quickly to the punishment?
Why is every opinion that is different to another’s considered soft and woke? Anyway, has anyone considered the fact that Noah may have requested that the club finalise this ASAP for his and the victims benefit?
-
Well - then have a press conference and explain that? My point is transparency
-
What happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
-
Well - then have a press conference and explain that? My point is transparency
It's a police matter and he hadn't pled guilty yet.
They were just being proactive.
They knew he would plead guilty because he's guilty.
-
What happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
You do t have to prove guilt if someone pleads guilty.
-
I think , Balta admitted guilt , took the club 4 weeks and whatever the courts will impose on him as acceptance and admission of fault and to move on. I think the club doesn’t see any value in giving it any more oxygen and hopes Balta learns from his mistake and punishment .
-
Well - then have a press conference and explain that? My point is transparency
It's a police matter and he hadn't pled guilty yet.
They were just being proactive.
They knew he would plead guilty because he's guilty.
Then. Wait. Let’s get all facts on table. Whole thing then makes sense. Hopefully.
Even on this thread, people are speculating to justify the punishment. I can easily say “He threw a punch, missed, guy fell and cracked his head, went to hospital for 2 stitches.” So, on that basis - maybe 4 weeks probably not. He lands him flush, goes to hospital for a broken nose - yes 4 weeks. He kings him, bloke knocked out - in hospital and discharged with severe concussion. 4 weeks looks light on.
We
Don’t
Effing
Know
Until facts are transparent
It’s not that hard folks.
-
Well - then have a press conference and explain that? My point is transparency
It's a police matter and he hadn't pled guilty yet.
They were just being proactive.
They knew he would plead guilty because he's guilty.
Then. Wait. Let’s get all facts on table. Whole thing then makes sense. Hopefully.
Even on this thread, people are speculating to justify the punishment. I can easily say “He threw a punch, missed, guy fell and cracked his head, went to hospital for 2 stitches.” So, on that basis - maybe 4 weeks probably not. He lands him flush, goes to hospital for a broken nose - yes 4 weeks. He kings him, bloke knocked out - in hospital and discharged with severe concussion. 4 weeks looks light on.
We
Don’t
Effing
Know
Until facts are transparent
It’s not that hard folks.
We don't need to effing know.
The club knows and acted.
Paying your membership doesn't entitle you to know everything the players and administration say to one another.
He's guilty and knew it and told them and they suspended him proactively.
Get the chip off your shoulder dude, the ranting about deserving to know etc seems a bit childish to me.
-
Guess what Andy? It’s an opinion. It’s a forum.
Some of us want the transparency. Just because I don’t agree with your view, doesn’t make it childish - it makes it different.
Ironic you call that out as being childish.
My view is pretty clear and very reasonable. Restrained even.
-
This is such a strange hill for you to die on HRT.
Getting mad at the club instead of the player who obviously stuffed up and plead guilty to assault.
-
Guess what Andy? It’s an opinion. It’s a forum.
Some of us want the transparency. Just because I don’t agree with your view, doesn’t make it childish - it makes it different.
Ironic you call that out as being childish.
My view is pretty clear and very reasonable. Restrained even.
Yeah I guess we all have opinions but we share and debate them here and I'm finding your's really untenable. Reminds me of arguing with clawski at times.
Seems kind of petulant like a kid throwing their toys out of the cot? I know that's a jerk thing to say but you're literally alone on this and upset that the club didn't do what you wanted them to, while a bloke has pled guilty to assault with the courts and every single other person is either supportive or at least not really bothered by the club banning him after he probably told them he punched someone's lights out.
You don't actually seem to have any issues with anything else in the scenario except the club didn't do it how you wanted lol.
Meanwhile there's a court and legal process, entirely separate to the club, but yeah let's do a press conference before Noah has his plee entered?
On the other hand the club finds out he's punched a bloke and decided to sit on their hands for weeks or longer and will be criticised for that too by a likely warm majority.
-
This is such a strange hill for you to die on HRT.
Getting mad at the club instead of the player who obviously stuffed up and plead guilty to assault.
Not mad. Happy to be on this hill. Not bothered by the opposing views. Get them, don’t agree. All good.
Might not be landing but that’s a ok. I am and have always advocated waiting until facts are public - in court if need be and then doing the punishing. The season doesn’t start for another 6 weeks. We always had time on our side.
Don’t always need a fast food solution to every problem…
-
Meanwhile, Liam Ryan is free to play after we all saw footage of him in a fist fight. :lol
AFL again treating us like morons…
-
Meanwhile, Liam Ryan is free to play after we all saw footage of him in a fist fight. :lol
AFL again treating us like morons…
Just so I'm an clear here
Noah (behind closed doors) tells his club what happened, what he did and last week pleads guilty to assault.
Club acts on what Noah tells them, you know those pesky little things called facts and the Club are morons?
Not sure why you keep referring to the Ryan situation as being the same as Noah mess. Cops investigated Ryan have said no case to answer....
Cops charged Noah
Two very different cases don't you think?
-
Meanwhile, Liam Ryan is free to play after we all saw footage of him in a fist fight. :lol
AFL again treating us like morons…
It’s been reported that a woman was assaulted and he was standing up for her. WC probs got this context and let him off.
-
HRT let it go man. Player assaulted someone, is charged by police, admitted fault to the club and the club suspended him. A couple of weeks later he pleads guilty in court.
No matter how much you keep saying it, the club did nothing wrong, the AFL didn’t mistreat us (in this case atleast) and the club does not owe you a public press conference or detailed report as to what exactly happened regardless of how much $$$ you spend on your membership.
-
Noah Balta will miss the first four games of the 2025 season after being handed a club-imposed suspension after pleading guilty to assault following an incident in the border town of Mulwala during the Christmas leave period.
Yze said the 25-year-old is remorseful for his behaviour and has tried to make amends at the football club since returning at the start of January.
"He knows he has let himself down and the footy club down with his actions. All I can ask is the way he has responded. That's what I am most proud of: his response has been exactly what we are after," he said.
"He has to win back the respect of his teammates. He feels like he has let me and his family down. He has done everything right since the minute we handed down that suspension. He has tried to help others, put his head down and that is the type of guy he is.
"We've got four or five young key-position players and he is outmarking them in a contest and then two minutes later he is telling them how and why that happened. He has some leadership capabilities and we are going to help him with that. He knows that he did something wrong and he is trying to do something about it."
Balta will also miss fixtures against Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Brisbane to start 2025.
Source: AFL website (https://www.afl.com.au/news/1267882/formula-for-success-richmond-tigers-use-mclaren-mantra-to-fast-track-rebuild)
-
I presume he’s missing the preseaon games as well which makes it a 6 game suspension while Stevie May and Liam Ryan go along and play footy.
What a crazy world we live in
-
Crazy is not the world here. Not only that Yze had to stick some more boots in during his last presser.
This is only playing out like this because we are sitting last on the ladder. Any other time and there is no chance Balta misses games.
-
Good point FJ, got a little idealistic there
-
Crazy is not the world here. Not only that Yze had to stick some more boots in during his last presser.
This is only playing out like this because we are sitting last on the ladder. Any other time and there is no chance Balta misses games.
Sorry did I miss something
Where exactly did Yze "stick some more boots in during his presser"
I presume he’s missing the preseaon games as well which makes it a 6 game suspension while Stevie May and Liam Ryan go along and play footy.
What a crazy world we live in
Ryan got cleared by the WA police so he's free to play.
Yes May played yesterday as the cops are still investigating.
What you conveniently neglect to mention is Prestia has also been linked to the May incident and our Club you know the one you've continually bagged over the Balta over have said that Prestia is free to play as he has no case to answer....or I'd you miss that bit?
Single biggest differences between Balta and the cases you keep mentioning are
1/ Balta was charged by the cops and after that happened
2/ went to the Club told then what happened and what he did and the Club acted. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge.
I really don't understand why you cannot accept those pesky facts.
Title facts
-
We don’t know what happened so the punishment might not fit the crime.
For all we know, he threw a punch and missed him.
Guy could have fallen over avoiding the swing and got that cut.
Once we know, it will make that suspension clearer.
All us have said is wait until we have all the information as a club and hold a presser to explain it
Balta has done the right thing and pleaded guilty which has resulted in a 6 week suspension.
May has not and is free to play.
That doesn’t sit well with me.
Ryan may have been cleared by the cops but are we now condoning street fights?
His excuse might have merit but why did he need to shape up and fight the bloke?
Doesn’t make any sense.
Prestia has previously been cleared by the club and they stated as he was a bystander and not involved or do we now want to suspend players for guilt by association?
-
We don’t know what happened so the punishment might not fit the crime.
For all we know, he threw a punch and missed him.
Guy could have fallen over avoiding the swing and got that cut.
Once we know, it will make that suspension clearer.
All us have said is wait until we have all the information as a club and hold a presser to explain it
Balta has done the right thing and pleaded guilty which has resulted in a 6 week suspension.
May has not and is free to play.
That doesn’t sit well with me.
Ryan may have been cleared by the cops but are we now condoning street fights?
His excuse might have merit but why did he need to shape up and fight the bloke?
Doesn’t make any sense.
Prestia has previously been cleared as he was a bystander and not involved or do we now want to suspend players for guilt by association?
My point is you keep comparing incidents that are not close to being the same.
Prestia told the Club what happened and they are obviously satisfied and so he is in the clear. As for May he is under investigation and Melbourne have said he's free to play, that's their call. BTW he hasn't been charged so what exactly is he supposed to pleade guilty to?
As for Ryan, if you want to compare it to a similar incident. Go back to 2021 when Bolton and Rioli, D got involved in a brawl while standing up for one of their partners. No police charges, Club didn't punish them, was that condoning street fights? .. oh BTW AFL did swoop in and fined Bolton because the Club did nothing..
Noah was not under investigation when he fronted the Club. He was already charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm. Key wording in the charge is "grievous bodily harm".
Noah being honest, upfront and taking responsibility for what he did doesn’t sit well with you? Would you have preferred he get sentenced, after playing a couple of meaningless praccy games and then miss 6 H&A games or god knows how many if the punishment was handed out by the AFL?
Unlike you I don't think we need to hear the details of what happened at this stage. There is no need. The person most affected and that's Noah Balta, not me or anyone on this forum has told the people that needed to know what happened. Are you seriously suggesting if he swung a punch and missed the penalty would have been as harsh as it is? Let the his next court date play out and I'm sure all the details will be made public by the media
-
Comparison is relevant because it all - all of it - sits within a code of conduct as it relates to bringing the code into disrepute.
Your argument is like saying we won’t compare racial vilification to punching someone by the tribunal.
Both sit within a players conduct on the field as both Liam Ryan and Noah Balta’s sits off field.
I am not comparing the incidents directly but both are a bad look for the competition unless you think that footage is a good look.
Where exactly have I said Noah Balta should not have pleaded guilty? I am not saying that, I always been of the view we should have waited until the court case was finished as at the time it was supposed to be resolved before the season started.
My point has always been to wait, bring all the facts to the table to help everyone understand it. Liam Ryan’s has been handled that way and while I do not agree with his lack of sanction it does give context. That is all I am saying for Noah Balta.
As for Stevie May - it has been reported a few times that Dion Prestia was a bystander and not part of police investigations. Again, we have some information to use.
“Prestia saw it happening but in no way was he involved. They weren’t involved in any physical altercation.” This was the official club statement. So, don’t know what your point is. It pin points WHY they are satisfied
-
Where exactly have I said Noah Balta should not have pleaded guilty? I am not saying that, I always been of the view we should have waited until the court case was finished as at the time it was supposed to be resolved before the season started.
My point has always been to wait, bring all the facts to the table to help everyone understand it. Liam Ryan’s has been handled that way and while I do not agree with his lack of sanction it does give context. That is all I am saying for Noah Balta.
You didn't say he shouldn't pleade guilty. But you did say
" We don’t know what happened so the punishment might not fit the crime.
For all we know, he threw a punch and missed him.
Guy could have fallen over avoiding the swing and got that cut.
Once we know, it will make that suspension clearer.
All us have said is wait until we have all the information as a club and hold a presser to explain it
Balta has done the right thing and pleaded guilty which has resulted in a 6 week suspension.
May has not and is free to play.
That doesn’t sit well with me.
You are right we the members and supporters don't know what truly happened.
But and it is the key for mine Noah does and he told the Club. The Club has all the info it clearly needs from Noah. They believe Noah. So to say the Club doesn't have all the information is incorrect. Why isn't what Noah had told the club enough from you?
Your issue seems to be more with the fact the Club hasn't given the details of what they've been told by the player. Untilcthe ,after is finalised in front of the Courts they don't need, nor should they. Ever thought for a minute that the Clubs actions may help Noah in his court case? Not saying it will but it might
-
Whoa
There are so many narratives and possibilities James Cameron would be agog!
Has anyone considered that he did not plead guilty, he just rocked up to the cop shop after hearing there was an issue, and made a statement??
What he told the club,,,, is confidential.
Just keep your options and opinions open.
-
Whoa
There are so many narratives and possibilities James Cameron would be agog!
Has anyone considered that he did not plead guilty, he just rocked up to the cop shop after hearing there was an issue, and made a statement??
What he told the club,,,, is confidential.
Just keep your options and opinions open.
Umm he has pleased guilty.... on the 30th January to be precise. He continues to be on bail until his next hearing date where he is due to sentenced
See page 6 of this thread
https://oneeyed-richmond.com/forum/index.php?topic=33794.msg785067#msg785067
He handed himself and was subsequently charged and bailed...
So sorry, Mint not sure what point you're trying to make TBH
-
Whoa
There are so many narratives and possibilities James Cameron would be agog!
Has anyone considered that he did not plead guilty, he just rocked up to the cop shop after hearing there was an issue, and made a statement??
What he told the club,,,, is confidential.
Just keep your options and opinions open.
Umm he has pleased guilty.... on the 30th January to be precise. He continues to be on bail until his next hearing date where he is due to sentenced
See page 6 of this thread
https://oneeyed-richmond.com/forum/index.php?topic=33794.msg785067#msg785067
He handed himself and was subsequently charged and bailed...
So sorry, Mint not sure what point you're trying to make TBH
Sorry too many reds🥹
-
From the Border Mail today: https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/8898930/richmonds-noah-balta-to-be-sued-over-mulwala-ski-club-assault/?cs=11
A Yarrawonga man who was seriously injured by Richmond player Noah Balta will sue the footballer, with his lawyer describing the Mulwala assault as savage, brutal, and unprovoked.
Balta is awaiting sentence in Corowa court in March after admitting to assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the Mulwala Water Ski Club incident.
The assault occurred on December 30 last year, and Balta handed himself in at the Mulwala police station the next day.
Balta will be sentenced in Corowa Local Court on March 27.
He will miss pre-season matches and the first four rounds following a club-imposed sanction.
The victim, Wangaratta council worker Thomas Washbrook, will sue Balta over the attack, which his lawyer, John Suta, described as "brutal".
"He was savagely and brutally assaulted by you without provocation by being punched by you on numerous occasions, in circumstances in which you had obviously consumed excessive intoxicating liquor ... and our client thereby suffered severe injury," Mr Suta said in a letter to Balta.
He said the injuries included "severe and extensive" facial lacerations, abrasions and bruising, concussion, rib fractures, headaches, PTSD, shock, scarring, anxiety, and other problems.
Noah Balta seriously assaulted Thomas Washbrook at the Mulwala Water Ski Club on December 30 last year. Mr Washbrook's lawyer says he plans to make a civil claim for damages in court.
"I think his mental battle is harder than his physical battle," Mr Suta said.
"I'm not a plastic surgeon, but it appears he's got a scar that will be lifelong on the right-hand side of his forehead.
"It will be a permanent scar."
The assault occurred at the Mulwala Water Ski Club. File picture
The assault occurred at the Mulwala Water Ski Club. File picture
Mr Suta said security vision showed his client had twice been hit by Balta as he tried to get up.
"It was a particularly brutal assault," he said.
"Cowardly."
A civil claim hasn't been filed in NSW court, but Mr Suta said that would happen soon after Balta failed to respond to a January 30 letter.
He said there had been "arrogant silence" from the footballer.
Mr Suta said he was seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and aggravated damages.
Richmond declined to comment.
The club's chief executive Shane Dunne stated in January that "Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident".
Balta will be sentenced over the assault in Corowa Local Court on March 27.
-
Seeing the Border Mail is part of the Murdoch media, I'm sure the HUN will pick up the above pretty quickly
So nice of the victim's lawyer to allow the paper to print part of the letter
As for "arrogant silience"; I think the victim's lawyer would know that the silence has been advised by Noah's lawyers
-
Balta strikes me as a person not running on all cylinders.
I dunno but he might have kangaroos loose in the top paddock.
What I'm sayin' is, he's not the full quid and he's probably a snag short of a barbie.
-
Strongly suspect the "ptsd" suddenly kicked in once he realised who the assailant was and only worsened when he was made aware of said assailant's recent contract. :shh
-
As I expected the HUN ran the story yesterday.
=======
‘Arrogant silence’:
Balta assault victim sues Tigers star for damages
A man who was assaulted by Noah Balta has begun civil proceedings against the Richmond star, seeking compensation for claims of “post-traumatic stress, shock and anxiety”.
Behind their paywall
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_MRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-victoria%2Farrogant-silence-balta-assault-victim-sues-for-compensation%2Fnews-story%2F49b80502f40d29a2304e3e14a7aa78ca&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=ULTRALOW-Segment-2-SCORE
And if you have a hard copy of yesterday's HUN it's on page 6
And a selfie video from the victim
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/noah-balta-to-be-sued-by-assault-victim-following-his-arrogance/video/aeecf60dce76e5324810da10d2801e68
-
Just a couple of points from what I read from page 6
- Victim's lawyer sent their letter to the RFC addressed to the CEO and that "that they are looking for compensation"
- lawyer said the RFC didn't respond "to invitations to "negotiations amicable resolution" to the matter"
(From Herald-Sun 22nd Feb 2025 page 6)
======
Couple of points from me
1/ why was the letter sent to the club and not Noah's lawyers? They would know who his lawyer is so surely any correspondence should go through them? RFC is Noah's employer so it has nothing to do with then.
2/ I would hope now people would understand why the Club has said nothing about what happened and its only comments has been around the suspension. Think the above makes it fairly obvious..
-
I think we all know what’s happening here. Suspending actually enables the abhorrent behaviour of the lawyer as it promotes the “smoke and fire” perception from the public.
Anyway, let’s see how this plays out when the courts finally hand down their decision and hopefully we can close the book on it.
-
So nice of the victim's lawyer to allow the paper to print part of the letter
As for "arrogant silience"; I think the victim's lawyer would know that the silence has been advised by Noah's lawyers
I think the lawyer was referring to the "failure to respond to a January 30 letter". Even if silence had been advised by lawyers that doesn't explain a failure to respond to an "invitation to negotiate an amicable resolution". Since Balta plead guilty it was always a fair chance that he would be asked for damages.
-
So nice of the victim's lawyer to allow the paper to print part of the letter
As for "arrogant silience"; I think the victim's lawyer would know that the silence has been advised by Noah's lawyers
I think the lawyer was referring to the "failure to respond to a January 30 letter". Even if silence had been advised by lawyers that doesn't explain a failure to respond to an "invitation to negotiate an amicable resolution". Since Balta plead guilty it was always a fair chance that he would be asked for damages.
Why send the letter to the RFC? Surely it goes to Noah's lawyer not the Club?
-
Why send the letter to the RFC? Surely it goes to Noah's lawyer not the Club?
Perhaps the Jan 30 letter went to Balta's lawyer and was ignored.
So the victim's lawyer then sends the next letter to his employer to pass on, noting that the language was "assaulted by you".
To ensure he gets a response he then goes to the press.
-
It's pretty obvious that the victim & his lawyer have taken aim at the money. The victim is suing Balta & will collect a good sum for his trouble, which is probably fair enough, but why try to drag the RFC into the story when it really has nothing to do with the club?
There is much fishing going on, the club's best course of action is to keep right out of it.
-
Lol here we go.
Pain and suffering.
Loss of enjoyment if life.
A million dollars please.
Grow some balls. If this was any Joe blow they wouldn't sue crap.
-
Why send the letter to the RFC? Surely it goes to Noah's lawyer not the Club?
Perhaps the Jan 30 letter went to Balta's lawyer and was ignored.
So the victim's lawyer then sends the next letter to his employer to pass on, noting that the language was "assaulted by you".
To ensure he gets a response he then goes to the press.
Ummm.... no, going by the article in the ever reputable HUN there was one letter and it was sent to the RFC not hos lawyer
-
Ummm.... no, going by the article in the ever reputable HUN there was one letter and it was sent to the RFC not hos lawyer
I share your seeming frustration with the quality of the journalism around this report but it is what it is in the press.
I don't think its particularly useful to focus on the details about how the issue is being pursued by lawyers on either side.
The details we do accept is that Balta assaulted a man.
Balta accepted a police brief about the assault and plead guilty (to be sentenced).
The victim of the assault has hired a lawyer to claim damages - both temporary and permanent.
Temporary damages would be based on a medical report from the hospital and ongoing medical treatment for physical injuries suffered.
Permanent damages would be medical-based on physical injuries and mental injuries based on the opinion of qualified experts.
We are all a bit sceptical about the validity of these long term mental injuries and doubtless the argument about them will continue up to and even beyond the settlement of this damages claim.
If there is any truth in how the victim's lawyer has complained about the "arrogant silence" I am a bit astounded.
Surely getting on the front foot and at least engaging with the lawyer would have been the best approach in the circumstances (guilty plea).
-
I mean all seems an absolute soap opera. But was is absolutely certain is don't belt someone Noah and this sort of circus doesn't happen.
-
Was the lead story on Ch7 news tonight
Didn't see the full actual story
Just the victim's lawyer saying his letter hasn't been answered
-
The lawyer of the bloke interviewed on 7news. 7news saying he is seeking compo for his client from Balta in the $100Ks.
They also showed vision of the bloke with blood on his face from a cut to his temple.
-
The lawyer of the bloke interviewed on 7news. 7news saying he is seeking compo for his client from Balta in the $100Ks.
They also showed vision of the bloke with blood on his face from a cut to his temple.
This has the hallmarks of a bloke leveraging the bad publicity of a incident where noone knows what actually happened for financial gain
-
Here's the 7news report:
Richmond premiership hero Noah Balta is facing a legal payout in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over a wild pub punch-on. His victim's lawyer has told 7NEWS his client has been left with life-long injuries from the attack.
@cassiezervos #7NEWS
(https://images.7news.com.au/publication/C-17843468/0126d99f51933c26cd07fcf01d8c2395c4979aac.jpg?imwidth=650&impolicy=sevennews_v2) (https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1894283834751160417)
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1894283834751160417
-
This has the hallmarks of a bloke leveraging the bad publicity of a incident where noone knows what actually happened for financial gain
A police brief about the incident has been accepted by both sides and the magistrate.
The lawyer also mentions security vision saying it shows the whole incident.
Would think the venue and both sides, as well as the police, know all the details.
It's only the public that don't know.
If it's settled (likely IMO) we - the general public - may never know the facts but I wouldn't bet the video won't see the light of day in the future.
-
This has the hallmarks of a bloke leveraging the bad publicity of a incident where noone knows what actually happened for financial gain
You keep going on about no-one knows
That is incorrect, wrong call it what you like
Noah, knows, the cops know, the victim, the lawyers and our Club knows
Plenty of people know
You and I don't know and appears to be your on going issue, you don't know and for reasons only you know that's not good enough or right from where you sit
-
That’s true, all of it. My point is that the lawyer is leveraging the fact we don’t know to put pressure on the club to act. It’s a dog act. Unlike you, I have moved on from the earlier debate which is completely different
-
That’s true, all of it. My point is that the lawyer is leveraging the fact we don’t know to put pressure on the club to act. It’s a dog act. Unlike you, I have moved on from the earlier debate which is completely different
Unlike you I think the lawyer being so public and going via the press to put on pressure was a dumb move.
Keeping the incident as private as possible is/was in the best interest of Balta in term of possible forthcoming sponserships.
By publishing the details of the incident to me gives away a key bargaining position the lawyer could have used in negotiations.
-
I don’t think they were expecting the club to not respond so went public.
Good move by club to stand firm, no doubt lawyer threatened to hold to the press. lawyer now getting desperate.
If this guy has been beaten to a pulp, which we don’t know yet, we will be hearing all the details in a civil case later.
-
Saw the video of the victim.
Looks beaten up but also sounds like a real tosser.
I 100% don't believe it was 'for no reason' but obviously there's probably no *good reason*.
-
Full of holes
Victim states
“I go out for a night with some 18 year old and it happens again …”
“..it always happens to the big guy…”
And his lawyers states
“… we are still waiting to hear from Mr Broads council….”
Sounds like a sh.. storm
-
Saw the video of the victim.
Looks beaten up but also sounds like a real tosser.
I 100% don't believe it was 'for no reason' but obviously there's probably no *good reason*.
Did he sound concussed?
-
Saw the video of the victim.
Looks beaten up but also sounds like a real tosser.
I 100% don't believe it was 'for no reason' but obviously there's probably no *good reason*.
Did he sound concussed?
Absolutely not lmao
Carrying on about how he got a flogging for absolutely no reason when he's out with some 18yo kids (dude looks 35-40+) and it always happens to the big guy etc.
Going on like a pork chop.
-
Agree that the guy seems like a knob. Makes Noah's actions more understable, though you can't go smashing blokes regardless.
-
Lmao
Just seen the video
Noah’s lawyers would be giggling
The bloke basically admits that getting into fights is the norm for him
-
Snip! You know the rules ppl. Please don't post unsubstantiated claims. Stick to the facts that have been made public.
-
Saw the video of the victim.
Looks beaten up but also sounds like a real tosser.
I 100% don't believe it was 'for no reason' but obviously there's probably no *good reason*.
Did he sound concussed?
Absolutely not lmao
Carrying on about how he got a flogging for absolutely no reason when he's out with some 18yo kids (dude looks 35-40+) and it always happens to the big guy etc.
Going on like a pork chop.
He's 27.
-----------
In the video 27-year-old Thomas Washbrook appears bloodied, bruised and barely able to open his right eye.
“Look at the big cut on my head,” Washrook can be heard saying.
“I came out for a good night ... hang out with some 18-year-olds and I get f******* flogged the f*** out for no reason once again.”
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/bashed-victim-of-richmond-star-noah-balta-goes-public-with-shocking-injury-toll-c-17843468
-
Saw the video of the victim.
Looks beaten up but also sounds like a real tosser.
I 100% don't believe it was 'for no reason' but obviously there's probably no *good reason*.
Did he sound concussed?
Absolutely not lmao
Carrying on about how he got a flogging for absolutely no reason when he's out with some 18yo kids (dude looks 35-40+) and it always happens to the big guy etc.
Going on like a pork chop.
He's 27.
-----------
In the video 27-year-old Thomas Washbrook appears bloodied, bruised and barely able to open his right eye.
“Look at the big cut on my head,” Washrook can be heard saying.
“I came out for a good night ... hang out with some 18-year-olds and I get f******* flogged the f*** out for no reason once again.”
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/bashed-victim-of-richmond-star-noah-balta-goes-public-with-shocking-injury-toll-c-17843468
Fooled me. Must have been a hard 27 years on the grog. Looks 40+
-
"once again" seems like the flog has form.
-
"once again" seems like the flog has form.
Yep.
-
He is such a loser, he must barrack for Carlton
-
When is Noah back??
-
Round 5
-
Round 5
TY
-
Is he allowed to go to games or sit in the coaches box??
-
Is he allowed to go to games or sit in the coaches box??
My understanding is he is allowed to go to games...
Big week for him this week, sentencing week IIRC
-
https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1905086459151024372
:shh
-
Jail time? :lol While these Africans come into your home with machetes get off with a warning?
Give me a break
-
No chance he gets jail time. Sensationalist headline.
-
Embarrassing stuff
-
That footage is bad
If one of our players were on the receiving end...
-
Footage not good.
-
I reckon we say AI is responsible for the footage and pick him this week
-
Jail time? :lol While these Africans come into your home with machetes get off with a warning?
Give me a break
NSW ain't Victoria. :shh
-
Footage not good.
It's terrible to honest but I agree with you Willy, can't see there being jail time...
Would like to see all the CCTV footage not just the grab the prosecution wants the Magistrate to see
Think the footage makes it pretty clear why the Club handed out its penalty, said very little and moved on quickly
Well done RFC :clapping
-
Visited my brother in Mulwala today for a family lunch.
When I asked about this he told me the following:
Sorry.
The information I posted seems to have been pretty inaccurate.
The assault happened at the exit/entrance of the club (not inside).
The assault was obviously some time after the initial confrontation inside. (presumably what the argument outside was about between the victim and Balta's brother and a mate)
The victim was alone outside (not in a couple inside)
When the case goes again on April 22 I presume we will hear more, including about the causal incident between the victim and Balta's brother.
-
Would like to see all the CCTV footage not just the grab the prosecution wants the Magistrate to see
The footage shows the full assault from start to finish.
You seem to be wanting other footage from inside that shows the cause of the assault.
That will only happen if/when Balta's defence is given to somehow mitigate.
-
He is very very lucky his initial charge caused the guy to fall on his side and not directly backwards. Could have been much much worse if he cracked his skull onto the pavement.
Very very dumb dumb decision which was no doubt fuelled by alcohol.
-
Footage not good.
It's terrible to honest but I agree with you Willy, can't see there being jail time...
Dunno about that, magistrate basically said no-one is above the law and sounds like they'll be looking to make an example of him.
Also, NSW has the toughest one punch/assault laws in the country and introduced lock out laws that pretty much destroyed Sydney's nightlife & killed Kings Cross over this kind of thing. :shh
-
Agree Dio
It’s high profile and a perfect chance to make an example
-
Balta facing jail as CCTV of brutal assault is aired
By SEN
27 March 2025
Richmond premiership player Noah Balta is facing up to five years in jail after CCTV footage of him allegedly assaulting a man in Mulwala was played in court.
Vision played in court shows Balta run towards victim Thomas Washbrook, knock him to the ground before delivering repeated blows to his head on December 30 last year.
Prosecutor Jason Tozer told a court that the 27-year-old victim was lucky to be alive after being repeatedly punched and thrown during the alleged incident.
“Your Honour can see he becomes fully airborne and travels a metre or a metre-and-a-half,” Tozer said.
“It is only sheer luck that his head did not make contact with that concrete.”
Explosive vision of Noah Balta assaulting a patron in Mulwala in December.
The case has been adjourned until April 22.
The latest details tonight on @7NewsMelbourne 6pm and online: https://t.co/Fe10CqFviW https://t.co/cSbMxSzTze
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) March 27, 2025
Balta will be sentenced on April 22.
The 25-year-old defender pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm which carries a maximum sentence of five years in NSW.
He was suspended by Richmond for the opening four matches of the 2025 season with Tom Morris reporting that he could return for the club’s Round 5 and 6 clashes against Freo and the Suns before he is sentenced.
The club’s reaction was slammed by Tozer.
“The action taken by the club is so minimal as to be irrelevant,” he said.
“The court must send a message to the community that this type of conduct is unacceptable no matter who you are.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/03/27/balta-facing-jail-as-cctv-of-brutal-assault-is-aired
-
Apologies, it was the prosecutor who said it not the magistrate as per my previous post. :shh
-
Fact not a coward punch, not a prolonged episode of violence and an element of provocation hopefully saves him from jail.
-
Fact not a coward punch, not a prolonged episode of violence and an element of provocation hopefully saves him from jail.
Hopefully the video of the pig admitting to prior cases of this will help
Not to mention a grown man spruiking about wanting to party with 18yo’s
For all we know , Noah was doing everyone a favour
-
25 sec footage can be seen here: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2025-noah-balta-cctv-footage-of-alleged-assault-shown-in-court-potential-jail-time-for-premiership-richmond-defender-latest-news-video/news-story/df484f49c8656620cb60e992490aee29
-----------------------------------------
Premiership Tiger faces potential jail time as CCTV of alleged assault shown in court
Fox Sports
March 27th, 2025
The footage showed multiple people arguing in a car park before Balta ran at the man, pushing him to the ground and punching him.
His defence argued the incident was at the higher end of a mid-level offence, whereas the prosecution argued it was a high-level offence.
AAP reported prosecutor Jason Tozer told the court the 27-year-old victim could have been killed.
“Your Honour can see he becomes fully airborne and travels a metre or a metre-and-a-half,” Sergeant Tozer said.
“It is only sheer luck that his head did not make contact with that concrete.”
The court heard Balta has since completed an anger management program, a behaviour change program and abstained from alcohol since the incident.
His defence said Balta’s brother was involved in a confrontation when Balta “made a significant error in judgment”.
“It’s quite clear this offence is completely and utterly out of character for Mr Balta,” defence lawyer Belinda Franjic said.
Balta received a four-match ban from Richmond over the incident, which the prosecution argued was “so minimal as to be irrelevant”, and is eligible to return in Round 5.
However he is set to be sentenced on April 22, following Round 6.
-
Seen the footage.
He's in trouble IMO.
Don't think it's a jail issue though.
-
You can’t see it in the footage but he was clearly pushed….
-
If Balta is sent away I give up, a few love taps, nothing in it.
-
How many times was he punched? Didn't look like love taps to me.
Got to hand to the bloke getting repeatedly punched and still gets up to ask for more.
Like a bogan “rope-a-dope"
:rollin
-
I can’t see him playing rd 5 .
He could have easily killed that country bogan.
The footage is terrible and shocking.
The only winners here are Blight and Miller .
-
The most brutal part of the assault was his shoulder charge.
-
Whether guilty or not , not the actions of a Richmond man .
-
Ch7 News reported tonight that the civil matter has been settled. They said the victim's lawyer has told them that Noah has paid undisclosed sum from an out of court settlement
Link:
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/noah-balta-pays-out-of-court-settlement-to-thomas-washbrooks-after-assault-case-adjourned-to-april-22-c-18190608
-
From Barrett's Sliding Doors column:
IF ...
Noah Balta was suspended by the Tigers for four matches for his involvement in an off-season assault ...
THEN ...
I can’t see him playing for a whole lot longer than that. The courts will deal with it legally, but the football system will need to make its own adjudication, and statement, after the courts have their say.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1286683/sliding-doors-if-voss-the-coach-could-channel-voss-the-player-then
-
I wonder what the argument was about. Anybody know?
-
From Barrett's Sliding Doors column:
IF ...
Noah Balta was suspended by the Tigers for four matches for his involvement in an off-season assault ...
THEN ...
I can’t see him playing for a whole lot longer than that. The courts will deal with it legally, but the football system will need to make its own adjudication, and statement, after the courts have their say.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1286683/sliding-doors-if-voss-the-coach-could-channel-voss-the-player-then
how does stuff off sound you ugly rat?
-
From Barrett's Sliding Doors column:
IF ...
Noah Balta was suspended by the Tigers for four matches for his involvement in an off-season assault ...
THEN ...
I can’t see him playing for a whole lot longer than that. The courts will deal with it legally, but the football system will need to make its own adjudication, and statement, after the courts have their say.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1286683/sliding-doors-if-voss-the-coach-could-channel-voss-the-player-then
I beg to differ.
AFL can stay TF out of court matters.
They don't kick out blokes who do drugs, deal drugs, rape or beat women, so why should they get involved in this nonsense?
It's up to the club to decide if they want the player or not.
-
Ch7 News reported tonight that the civil matter has been settled. They said the victim's lawyer has told them that Noah has paid undisclosed sum from an out of court settlement
Link:
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/noah-balta-pays-out-of-court-settlement-to-thomas-washbrooks-after-assault-case-adjourned-to-april-22-c-18190608
Well played to the victim. Got a nice pay out, can’t say the same for Balta. What an idiot
-
Ch7 News reported tonight that the civil matter has been settled. They said the victim's lawyer has told them that Noah has paid undisclosed sum from an out of court settlement
Link:
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/noah-balta-pays-out-of-court-settlement-to-thomas-washbrooks-after-assault-case-adjourned-to-april-22-c-18190608
Well played to the victim. Got a nice pay out, can’t say the same for Balta. What an idiot
He'll be getting a few big pay outs when he comes back - mainly from opposition supporters.
-
For who seems an absolutely dead beat of a person. He's worked this magnificently well. Dare I say someone with a legal background saw the incident or footage and went $$.
Stupidly from Noah but far out it was pretty minimal contact, with zero visible impact to the victim. It could have been 10 times wotse. We move on.
I heard the barrister slammed the club, I'm blown away by this. When do barristers, in court, comment on employers actions towards employees on trial. He's been suspended until after the hearing I'm unsure what on earth this idiot expects of the club.
-
Afl needs to keep out of it and barristers within our club.
-
This loooooooong piece about Balta was posted on the RTSSG facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RTSSG/posts/23889108607340502/
----------
A snippet from it:
Here’s what Richmond should do:
1. Suspend Noah Balta for the entire AFL 2025 season.Not a few weeks. Not until the court date. The full year. No shortcuts. No soft landings.
2. After AFL and legal suspensions are completed, he will spend the rest of the year in the VFL.
3. Strip any leadership titles or internal roles tied to cultural development. He cannot be a mentor. He cannot be a role model. Not now.
4. Publicly reinforce our cultural values—with action, not slogans. Reaffirm what Richmond stands for. Not in posters or websites. In decisions.
5. Rebuild trust through transparency. Not a media-managed quote. A clear, public statement from the club’s leaders explaining why these actions are being taken.
6. Offer Balta the pathway to earn back the jumper—if, and only if, he proves himself. That means community service. That means visible acts of accountability. That means humility. That means he asks to return—not expects it.
We’re not saying throw him to the wolves. We’re saying show the next generation of Tigers that this jumper must be earned—and re-earned—by actions, not just apologies.
Because if Balta plays this season like nothing happened? Then everything we’ve said about culture is a lie. Every quote. Every banner. Every “team-first” motto. It all collapses.
And this supporter base deserves better. You deserve better.
So no more hiding. No more waiting. No more “let’s see how it plays out.” We’ve seen enough.
It’s time to act with the courage of our convictions. Not just to punish—but to protect what matters.
Our culture. Our club. Our identity.
-
This loooooooong piece about Balta was posted on the RTSSG facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RTSSG/posts/23889108607340502/
----------
A snippet from it:
Here’s what Richmond should do:
1. Suspend Noah Balta for the entire AFL 2025 season.Not a few weeks. Not until the court date. The full year. No shortcuts. No soft landings.
2. After AFL and legal suspensions are completed, he will spend the rest of the year in the VFL.
3. Strip any leadership titles or internal roles tied to cultural development. He cannot be a mentor. He cannot be a role model. Not now.
4. Publicly reinforce our cultural values—with action, not slogans. Reaffirm what Richmond stands for. Not in posters or websites. In decisions.
5. Rebuild trust through transparency. Not a media-managed quote. A clear, public statement from the club’s leaders explaining why these actions are being taken.
6. Offer Balta the pathway to earn back the jumper—if, and only if, he proves himself. That means community service. That means visible acts of accountability. That means humility. That means he asks to return—not expects it.
We’re not saying throw him to the wolves. We’re saying show the next generation of Tigers that this jumper must be earned—and re-earned—by actions, not just apologies.
Because if Balta plays this season like nothing happened? Then everything we’ve said about culture is a lie. Every quote. Every banner. Every “team-first” motto. It all collapses.
And this supporter base deserves better. You deserve better.
So no more hiding. No more waiting. No more “let’s see how it plays out.” We’ve seen enough.
It’s time to act with the courage of our convictions. Not just to punish—but to protect what matters.
Our culture. Our club. Our identity.
I wouldnt be posting anything that POS & his poo facebook group say
-
Sounds like they're from Cheryl Critchley/Reddit faction of Richmond supporters. :shh
-
Can someone help me out with a question about this case? I just read an AFL article about AFL house allowing balta to play before sentencing from the courts. The article also says that Balta had settled the case. So my question is - does Balta still have to go to court for sentencing even though he has settled with the man he assaulted prior to this court date?
Hope that makes sense.
Article here on AFL website.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1291140
-
Can someone help me out with a question about this case? I just read an AFL article about AFL house allowing balta to play before sentencing from the courts. The article also says that Balta had settled the case. So my question is - does Balta still have to go to court for sentencing even though he has settled with the man he assaulted prior to this court date?
Hope that makes sense.
Article here on AFL website.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1291140
Yes he still has to face the court for sentencing in the criminal matter
The settlement is in relation to the civil matter.
-
Thank you.
I thought it would be over. But there U go. Another few weeks to wait.
-
‘Exactly what he told us had happened’: Coach addresses vision of Tiger’s alleged assault, selection stance
Tyler Lewis
Newswire/Foxsports
April 2nd, 2025
Richmond coach Adem Yze has reinforced his stance on Noah Balta’s return from suspension, saying the Tigers aren’t “going to change our verdict”.
Balta is serving the final match of a six-game ban after he was charged with assault in January.
The 25-year-old has pleaded guilty and will face sentencing in Albury Local Court on April 22.
Balta is available for matches against Fremantle and Gold Coast between the end of his suspension and his sentencing.
Yze doubled down on Wednesday on whether Balta would play before his court date, declaring “it’s going to be nice when he’s available”.
“The AFL was part of the process when we sanctioned him; six weeks is a long time for a player to have out,” he said.
“Not only the six weeks suspension, he’s been dealing with this for three months. He’s been doing extras at training, community service, helping around the footy club.
“He’s earning the trust and respect back not only from his team but his club, he’s hating not being out there.
“The fact that it’s out in the media now – it happened in January. He’s been dealing with that for a long time, so we’re not going to change our verdict.
“We’ve worked with the AFL and we’re really clear on that. It’s going to be nice when he is available.”
Yze again defended Balta when asked to detail his reaction to footage of the assault.
He said Balta had been clear on the event, which led to no shock when the video emerged.
“It was exactly what he told us had happened,” Yze said.
“It’s in the courts, so we can’t really talk about the facts, but what you did see is exactly what he told us.
“He was honest about it, he knew he made a mistake and, like I said, he’s been earning the trust of not only us but the whole footy club.
“We can’t wait to allow him to get back out and do that on the footy field as well.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2025-richmond-cant-wait-to-have-defender-noah-balta-back-between-his-suspension-and-sentencing/news-story/a9dac46da144218a50e7f943d0c168cc
-
Cornes slams AFL's embarrassing take on Balta CCTV
By SEN
4 April 2025
The AFL has embarrassed itself in its handling of Noah Balta’s assault case, according to Kane Cornes who has called on the Richmond player to speak on the matter.
Balta is facing up to five years in jail after pleading guilty for an attack on another man outside the Mulwala Water Ski club in December last year.
Last week he pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will be sentenced on April 22.
Despite the severity of the case and the threat of jail time, the AFL and Richmond have cleared Balta to play in Round 5 and 6 and will not be adding to his four-match ban.
Earlier this week Andrew Dillon said: “We have worked with Richmond and we're comfortable with the suspension and the suspension that Noah has served ... we're comfortable with where Richmond landed on that one.”
His comments have drawn widespread criticism with both Cornes and David King demanding more action be taken.
“We were all over this when that vision came out,” Cornes said on SEN’s Fireball.
“Now the AFL is in the embarrassing situation that every time they launch something – like Gather Round – they’re going to be asked about it.
“I don’t think they’ve been hard enough.”
Adding to this, Cornes queried where Balta is.
“Has he spoken yet? Does the community need to hear from him?”
Last week CCTV footage of the “sickening” assault was made public with prosecutors telling a court that the victim of the assault - Thomas Washbrook - was lucky to be alive.
King echoed his co-host’s sentiments suggesting the story had benefited from a busy news week with Oscar Allen’s secret Hawthorn meeting consuming significant broadcast time.
“Where’s the Noah Balta story gone?” King asked.
“The Richmond fans maybe they do (need to hear from him).
“I just think it’s one of those ones that’s disappeared pretty quickly even though it’s still in the courts.
“The AFL should have extended the ban and they should have stepped in for sure.”
The 1-2 Tigers meet reigning premiers Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday before setting their sights on Gather Round against Fremantle in the Barossa Valley - a fixture which Balta will be eligible to play in.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/04/04/cornes-slams-afls-embarrassing-take-on-balta-cctv
-
Up to five years in jail, oh please.
-
He’s been punished by the club, he will be punished by the courts, now they want him to be punished by the league. Who’s next?
If it were a Port player or a Nort player, they’d be defending him.
-
He’s been punished by the club, he will be punished by the courts, now they want him to be punished by the league. Who’s next?
If it were a Port player or a Nort player, they’d be defending him.
Just ignore them. Both are idiots.
-
Will Noah come straight back in ??
If yes where will he play and who will he replace??
I kind of like the idea of him playing on the wing. Any Takers??
-
Will Noah come straight back in ??
If yes where will he play and who will he replace??
I kind of like the idea of him playing on the wing. Any Takers??
I actually dont mind the idea of that. I dont know if he has the tank tho to run fwd and back. Trezise and banks both played well off the wing today from what I saw.
Balta back and most likely for miller is my guess. Yze seems to like moving blight about ATM, especially as second ruck. ( So based on that comment, maybe he takes blights position)
We will see what happens next week 👍
-
Will Noah come straight back in ??
If yes where will he play and who will he replace??
I kind of like the idea of him playing on the wing. Any Takers??
I actually dont mind the idea of that. I dont know if he has the tank tho to run fwd and back. Trezise and banks both played well off the wing today from what I saw.
Balta back and most likely for miller is my guess. Yze seems to like moving blight about ATM, especially as second ruck. ( So based on that comment, maybe he takes blights position)
We will see what happens next week 👍
👌
-
Will Noah come straight back in ??
If yes where will he play and who will he replace??
I kind of like the idea of him playing on the wing. Any Takers??
Will Noah come straight back in ??
If yes where will he play and who will he replace??
I kind of like the idea of him playing on the wing. Any Takers??
Definitely straight back in if his head is in a good space.
Would at least be nice to see him giving Nank a chop out in the ruck, otherwise I'd try him midfield for pace and size, clearance work etc.
He can have kmacs spot.
-
i have a feeling the afl those scum bags have had a word to the club and he wont play.
if you listened to yze tonight, he wasnt as convincing as last week. That is my take anyway.
-
Don’t know if he has the tank
-
Don’t know if he has the tank
vfl have the bye :shh
how convenient for them to say give him an extra 2 weeks as he has no tank.
-
I expect him to play
-
Looks like Noah's availability this week is going to be front and square in the media this week
Ch 7 news had this gem, which just rehashed what we already know
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1909160027187015995?t=ZEATB1Ttsq3SOxWyuT46_A&s=19
Then there's Kane going off his tree, ranting he shouldn't be allowed to play, whacks the AFL, Richmond
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1909174026494455913?t=UWIy-beAGrp-jvb5pUbZIQ&s=19
Blah, blah
::)
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
-
Is that what happened TL?
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
You're atrocious at maths and making up stories
He beat the living poo out of someone and did it while the bloke wasn't looking at him.
That's what's wrong with society
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
This narrative that the victim was hitting on young girls has not been proven and is a rumour that is all over social media.
If you are going to hang your hat on that as some sort of way to condone what Noah then perhaps society isn't the problem.
What Noah did can not be excused IMHO
But it's time to move on
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
Not illegal to hit on girls at a pub man. If they had a problem with it there's security on site surely.
Noah F'd up big time.
Bloke probably recognised him and wouldn't surprise me if he wound him on deliberately but players need to be onto that garbage.
-
Looks like Noah's availability this week is going to be front and square in the media this week
Ch 7 news had this gem, which just rehashed what we already know
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1909160027187015995?t=ZEATB1Ttsq3SOxWyuT46_A&s=19
Then there's Kane going off his tree, ranting he shouldn't be allowed to play, whacks the AFL, Richmond
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1909174026494455913?t=UWIy-beAGrp-jvb5pUbZIQ&s=19
Blah, blah
::)
But wait there's more:
Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris believes it is "highly unlikely" Noah Balta will play for Richmond in Gather Round this week, despite the lifting of his official AFL ban.
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/news-2025-noah-balta-richmond-court-tom-morris-jimmy-bartel-james-hird-gather-round-20250406-p5lpn2.html
'Disgusted': Father of coward punch victim hopes Noah Balta 'never comes back' to Richmond
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/news-2025-richmond-tigers-noah-balta-sentencing-team-selection-jimmy-bartel-reaction-20250408-p5lq44.html
-
Double jeopardy: The Balta conundrum facing Richmond
By SEN
8 April 2025
No VFL fixture for Richmond this weekend has put a spanner in the works when it comes to whether Noah Balta makes his return to footy as he awaits sentencing for an alleged assault in NSW.
The 25-year-old is facing up to five years in jail after pleading guilty for an attack on another man outside the Mulwala Water Ski club in December last year, but is not set to be sentenced until April 22.
It means Balta is eligible for selection in Gather Round where the Tigers face Fremantle as well as their Round 6 clash with Gold Coast.
Having initially been handed a six-week ban by his club – which meant he missed pre-season matches and the first four rounds of the season – many called for an extension to his suspension after CCTV of the assault was made public last month.
Vision played in court showed Balta run towards his victim, knock him to the ground before delivering repeated blows to his head.
In March, prosecutors telling a court that the victim of the assault - Thomas Washbrook - was lucky to be alive.
While both Richmond and the AFL have spoken in defence of Balta and insisted there would be no further sanctions pending his sentencing, it seems there remains a question mark over his head going into Gather Round.
“This is where is sits, he is availablefor selection,” Channel 9’s Tom Morris told SEN Breakfast.
“Had there been VFL this week he would have played VFL, that was the plan.
“It was intended that he would play VFL this week but there is none. He was never intended to play AFL in his comeback game but there is no VFL match so Richmond’s match committee will decide this week if he trains or if he plays seniors.
“The Club’s view is that extending his suspension would be double jeopardy, he’s already been punished once, they don’t want to punish him again. It does sit uncomfortably with a lot of people.
“My sense is that he is less likely than more likely to play, we won’t know for sure until tomorrow. They have a big decision to make but as it stands, he is available for selection.”
Richmond coach Adem Yze last week insisted his player had been punished enough.
“The AFL was part of the process when we sanctioned him; six weeks is a long time for a player to have out,” Yze said.
“Not only the six weeks suspension, he’s been dealing with this for three months. He’s been doing extras at training, community service, helping around the footy club.
“He’s earning the trust and respect back not only from his team but his club, he’s hating not being out there.
“The fact that it’s out in the media now – it happened in January. He’s been dealing with that for a long time, so we’re not going to change our verdict.
“We’ve worked with the AFL and we’re really clear on that. It’s going to be nice when he is available.”
Tigers defenders Ben Miller, Jacob Blight and Luke Trainor, with guidance from Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad, have been performing solidly in Balta's absence.
They play the Dockers at Barossa Park in Lyndoch from 12:35pm AEST on Sunday.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/04/08/double-jeopardy-the-balta-conundrum-facing-richmond
-
Put your hand up if you’ve never been in a scrap. People make mistakes and they pay a significantly smaller penalty than Balta. No doubt he’s lost income via the Tigers, he’s paid compensation to the victim and his name has been in the media non-stop. What’s done is done, let the guy move forward and get on with his life and footy career. Support the guy when he pulls on the jumper because every opposition supporter is going to give it to him with both barrels.
-
The AFL is allowing Noah Balta to play. Caroline Wilson speaks with @Rebecca7Maddern about why.
VIDEO:[/b] https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1909531906208940522
-
I'm blown away by some of these replies.
I'll triple down with some clarity.
Facts:
- The victim has been quoted he was "looking for a good time with some 18 year olds."
- He has a large graze and cut to the right side of his face.
Baltas first physical touch to the victim was a push to his left size which resulted in the man falling over and grazing the left side of his face. As shown in his own video.
- The punches Noah does, which are only punches when the guys is down are love taps in comparison to what Noah could do if he really wanted to damage the guy, which I'm not sure is smarter or dumber from Noah, probably smarter as if a 100kg footballer nails a guy with 3 punches to the face at full power, not many would be left conscious let alone being able to stand up immediately and not even hold his face in pain. But the guy stands up and looks physically unharmed. He's not unconscious, he's not staggered or struggling to stand up. The guy is fine. Thankfully. Again, doesn't make it right but the impact and damage gives context.
What Noah did was assault, regardless of whether guy deserved it or not. I'm not saying it's not or what he did was OK.
But I will absolutely not join the pile on of keyboard warriors and glass house media experts looking for the high ground. The impact is minimal, the main blood is from being pushed over and scraping face on path, and nobody knows the context of the altercation however the victim has painted a big enough picture that if he's wanting to hang out with 18 year old kids, his character isn't glowing. For those who have had 18 year old go out at night, these grubs are the grubs parents fear most. Absolutely pigs.
Hitting on girls is not illegal comment, no it's not illegal however hitting on girls in a certain way and a certain age gap can come with consequences. The slop some girls cop from grubby blokes need to be held accountable.
He's missed 2 months of footy for a few jabs, he's paid a settlement. The victim got what he wanted out of it. The calls he should never be allowed to play footy again, he should be banned for the season, be banned until the court case. Enough is enough.
-
Pack it up Popelord and take your dufflecoat for a dry clean, you've lost the plot
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
You're atrocious at maths and making up stories
He beat the living poo out of someone and did it while the bloke wasn't looking at him.
That's what's wrong with society
He sits out this round that's 5 games, 5 out of 22 is close enough to a quarter of the season, let's not get to technical.
If you think what Noah did was beating the living poop out of someone, you have had one sheltered soft upbringing.
-
Put your hand up if you’ve never been in a scrap. People make mistakes and they pay a significantly smaller penalty than Balta. No doubt he’s lost income via the Tigers, he’s paid compensation to the victim and his name has been in the media non-stop. What’s done is done, let the guy move forward and get on with his life and footy career. Support the guy when he pulls on the jumper because every opposition supporter is going to give it to him with both barrels.
Spot on.
-
Just think this is the biggest beat up ever.
And what's wrong with society a little bit, drunken pig hits on young girls, mouth off and gets punched in the mouth. Because he's bleeding sues and debilitates the career of the attacker and gets a payout. No consequences for his behavior.
AFL media need to stop being so offended by Noah, he's sat out a quarter of the season.
Would love to see the difference of narrative in the media if this is Dangefield protecting some young girls in Geelong.
This narrative that the victim was hitting on young girls has not been proven and is a rumour that is all over social media.
If you are going to hang your hat on that as some sort of way to condone what Noah then perhaps society isn't the problem.
What Noah did can not be excused IMHO
But it's time to move on
WP, the video the victim released himself quotes him looking for some 18yo for a good time. Let's not be naive.
I'm not excusing Noah, it's 2025 you can't be potting people. I'm saying it's been beaten up massively, been treated like a serial killer, he's done his time away from his workplace, he's paid the settlement, been humiliated in the public eye and will absolutely be bood and heckled for a number of seasons to come. He will pay the price 10 times over. Enough is enough, let him go back to work so he can start to move on with his life, whilst the victim has a nice pay day and apart from a few band aids has come away unscathed.
Continues to be an absolute circus.
#freenoah
-
TigerLand, in the most part I agree with you.
I actually said when the club handed down its penalty I thought it was too harsh.
Having seen the video I reckon they got it spot on.
But Noah is fortunate that the injuries weren't more severe. You say he just pushed the victim and he just fell over. True but lets be honest here, that's more luck than anything else.
End of the day Noah stuffed up in a massive way. And he is paying for it as you say 10 times over.
-
It's a shame Sydney Stack wasn't given the same grace by some who were extremely happy to have him rot in solitary confinement in prison during Christmas due to a bogus lockdown rule :shh
Let's not forget the 10 match AFL sanction for "having a souvlaki"
......double standards? :rollin
-
AFL boss Andrew Dillon puts return of Richmond’s Noah Balta ahead of sentencing for assault charge in club’s hands
Foxsports
April 9, 2025
AFL boss Andrew Dillon says Noah Balta has served his club-imposed suspension for assault and the decision on whether he plays this weekend is “up to Richmond” amid an outcry over his potential return.
Balta is eligible for selection having served his four-match suspension after pleading guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident in regional NSW last December that left a victim in hospital with a head injury.
The charge attracts a maximum penalty of five years in jail under NSW law and Balta will be sentenced on April 22 at Albury Local Court.
Despite the serious nature of the charge, the AFL didn’t impose a sanction beyond that handed down by the Tigers and on Wednesday Dillon put the responsibility for picking Balta on Richmond.
“Noah is in the middle of a court process which will finalise in a couple of weeks,” he said.
“The AFL process was completed in February. Noah has served his suspension. He’s also undergone behavioural frameworks, which he’s been adhering to, and ultimately now is available for selection.
“But it’s up to Richmond whether they select him.
“He has completed the suspension, and he’s done everything that was asked of him, but he is in the middle of a court process that continues.”
Last week when asked about Balta’s possible return, Richmond coach Adem Yze said the club would not change its view that Balta had served his suspension. 
“He’s hating not being out there,” Yze said.
“The fact that it’s out in the media now – it happened in January, so, he’s been dealing with that for a long time, so we’re not going to change our verdict.
“We’ve worked with the AFL with that and they’re really clear on that.”
But the call has come under fire from Melbourne great Garry Lyon who said waiting for an AFL return “wouldn’t be the worst thing”.
“I also find it really hard (to have a stance) because the counterargument is he’s been suspended, he’s done his time, he’s now available, so he plays. But I think starting in the VFL is not the worst thing for him,” Lyon said on AFL 360 of Balta’s potential selection this weekend.
“He’s fortunate that he’s still got a career … the circumstances around that (incident) may have been a lot worse.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-boss-andrew-dillon-puts-return-of-richmonds-noah-balta-ahead-of-sentencing-for-assault-charge-in-clubs-hands/news-story/94a38b1af1ccdaac08e4d0c1811c10c6
-
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issue please explain to AFL, Richmond over Noah Balta
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has expressed alarm over the possibility Noah Balta may take the field this weekend, saying both the AFL and Richmond need to explain themselves.
Mitch Clarke
:lol :lol :lol
Wonder what our lefty friends think of politics getting in the way of sport. Assuming you call her a politician which I don't.
-
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issue please explain to AFL, Richmond over Noah Balta
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has expressed alarm over the possibility Noah Balta may take the field this weekend, saying both the AFL and Richmond need to explain themselves.
Mitch Clarke
:lol :lol :lol
Wonder what our lefty friends think of politics getting in the way of sport. Assuming you call her a politician which I don't.
Always bad when AFL dabbles in politics and vice versa.
Pathetic.
-
So many chicken littles out there these days
-
So many chicken littles out there these days
The world is stuffed
Everyone feels the need to stick their noses into other peoples business
Australia is a nation of softies
-
I'd like to issue a please explain to Jacinta Allan's parents
-
So many chicken littles out there these days
The world is stuffed
Everyone feels the need to stick their noses into other peoples business
Australia is a nation of softies
Yep a far cry from what we were, its very dissappointing
-
Be interested if Jacinta would like to comment on any relevent issues that are in her lane. Like the machete home invasions she continues to dodge around. Genuine fraud.
-
I'd like to issue a please explain to Jacinta Allan's parents
I find that parentist
And as a parent I’m highly offended
Time to assume the foetal position with a box of Kleenex
-
She can't get the state right, what chance is she got of getting any AFL things right.
This is becoming the biggest beat up of all time. How many other players have done similar things and then had the government try and step in?
-
I think it’s extremely poor form by the club to suspend him for 4 weeks, then not name him to play when available. Essentially it’s now a 5 week suspension and counting.
-
Yep pee weak.
Folded under pressure.
-
The comments by the Premier were totally inappropriate and not called for. No one including most importantly Noah is saying what he did was anything but totally wrong. Noah has borne immediate consequences for his behavior. He has paid compensation, undertaken a course and been suspended. He has been humiliated in the media and had media coverage which went well beyond it warranted. He will face a penalty from the court which if he is lucky is a hefty court fine. Let him go back to his job. Working is the best form of rehabilitation. By him Working it benefits the community
-
It’s a funny paradox when these things happen. People will always say the punishment isn’t enough etc etc. but then the left wing society of these days is meant to be all about forgiveness and understanding… until it’s someone they don’t like, a white male footballer.
He’s served his punishment as far as I’m concerned and is still yet to have a sentencing.
-
He'll get probably 100 hours of community service or something like that.
They would likely only lock him up if he was a repeat offender or thought to be likely to offend again.
-
I think it’s extremely poor form by the club to suspend him for 4 weeks, then not name him to play when available. Essentially it’s now a 5 week suspension and counting.
Agree with the sentiment however they’ll have the excuse of him not being match fit and needing to build that up by 1-2 games in the VFL. There is probably some truth to that but mostly a cop out.
-
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issue please explain to AFL, Richmond over Noah Balta
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has expressed alarm over the possibility Noah Balta may take the field this weekend, saying both the AFL and Richmond need to explain themselves.
Mitch Clarke
:lol :lol :lol
Wonder what our lefty friends think of politics getting in the way of sport. Assuming you call that bimbo a politician which I don't.
Jacinta, how about explaining why you’ve dug a $2BN hole that won’t get filled in, let alone finished?
Or when are you going to put the staff in to run some of the hospitals you conveniently built but can’t afford to run.
Weak, pathetic piece of sh!te who won’t last the year and might just cost your federal colleagues the election
-
I think it’s extremely poor form by the club to suspend him for 4 weeks, then not name him to play when available. Essentially it’s now a 5 week suspension and counting.
Agree with this, he's clearly in our best 22.
However it wouldn't surprise me Noah saying this is getting crazy I'm not in a headspace to play properly.
-
However it wouldn't surprise me Noah saying this is getting crazy I'm not in a headspace to play properly.
Been thinking the same thing TBH.
Would make sense and who could blame him
-
Tigers could have handled Balta saga better: Riewoldt
Richmond great Jack Riewoldt believes his former club erred in how they handled the Noah Balta selection saga, having belatedly decided against recalling the AFL premiership defender in round five.
https://www.inkl.com/news/tigers-could-have-handled-balta-saga-better-riewoldt
-
Richmond coach Adem Yze says non-selection of Noah Balta was purely a football decision
Mitchell Woodcock
West Australian
12 April 2025
Richmond coach Adem Yze says the non-selection of Noah Balta is purely a football decision as the defender awaits sentencing for assault later this month.
Balta has served the four-match suspension handed to him by the Tigers and approved by the AFL after he left a man in hospital with a head injury following an incident on December 30 in regional NSW.
The Tiger pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will be sentenced on April 22.
Despite being available, Balta won’t take on Fremantle in the Barossa Valley on Sunday and will instead line up for Richmond’s VFL side against an AFL National Academy under-18 team.
Speaking at Glenelg Oval on Saturday, Yze said the non-selection was based around footy.
“It’s pretty tough to go into an AFL game without playing any footy at all,” he said.
“It was just unfortunate we weren’t able to play him in the VFL beforehand, so this is our first opportunity to play him at any level.
“He would have been playing on some really good forwards and to do that without playing any footy at all would be just too hard for the kid.”
Yze said Balta’s selection for their clash against Gold Coast next weekend would be based on form.
“He’s going to have to warrant selection,” he said.
“Similar to Josh Smillie last week we spoke about him playing VFL footy, he got some minutes under his belt. He’ll play another game this weekend but if he’s not playing well enough he doesn’t deserve selection and Noah will be exactly the same.
“He’s going down to VFL footy to get in form and warrant selection. We’re going to always have that selection integrity. If he plays well enough then well talk about that next week.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/richmond-tigers/richmond-coach-adem-yze-says-non-selection-of-noah-balta-was-purely-a-football-decision-c-18347924
---------------------------------------------
"We have obviously disciplined him, he's copped a fair whack for that and he's been dealing with it for three months," Yze said.
"It was just a performance decision. The coaching staff, we all thought the same.
"Put yourself in his shoes, if you haven't played a game of footy in, you're coming up into an AFL game against a really good team and some good forwards that are in good form, we're not setting him up to perform and play well.
"He would have been playing on some really good forwards and to do that without playing any footy at all would just be too hard for the kid.
"So he'll go and play a game of footy this weekend and be available the week after."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1297570/richmond-tigers-defender-noah-balta-could-make-afl-return-days-before-sentencing
-
For those interested, unprofessionally IMHO the lawyer of Baltas 'victim' has also had his say, as well as on behalf of his client whether Noah should be selected to play or not. Surprise, surprise they both believe he has shown remorse, paid the settlement and believe that he should be able to get on with his life and career.
Yet we have a cackle of donkeys in media and politics, who are offended Noah is back at training let alone being selected and training.
A lot can be read into this interview, 5 minutes in total, the lawyer had to be prompted at the end to actually talk about his client instead of Balta, who he spoke for 4 minutes about and had to be asked if the victim is recovering. Which of course he is fine as he was fine on the night after jabs seen on video. Raf Epstein even questioned he thought the lawyer would be more upset for his client about the incident. Victim was confirmed 27 yo moved to NSW by himself and first night out looking to hang out with 18 year olds and apparently unprovoked and completely innocent, righto.
Anyway, for those that are interested:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/man-punched-by-noah-balta-says-he-should-get-second-chance/105164844
-
Caroline Wilson gives her verdict on the continuing Noah Balta saga
Noah Balta’s return to football today in Richmond’s VFL practice game against the Australian U18 team is a sticking point for many, including Caroline Wilson.
According to Wilson, Richmond didn’t face any pressure for Balta to miss the senior match against Fremantle during Gather Round.
“Richmond vehemently denying that there was any external pressure for Noah Balta to not play at the Barossa tomorrow,” Wilson explained on 3AW Football.
“I’m really glad Noah Balta’s not playing. I think it would’ve been terrible.”
https://www.3aw.com.au/caroline-wilson-gives-her-verdict-on-the-continuing-noah-balta-saga/
-
Andrew Dillon addresses the Noah Balta situation and whether he should be eligible to play at any level before sentencing.
#9AFLSFS | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️
VIDEO: https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1911239359791022167
-
Tigers to wait on Balta selection call after VFL return
By AAP
13 April 2025
RICHMOND will wait to see how Noah Balta recovers from his return to action before deciding whether the premiership defender is recalled for the clash with Gold Coast in round six.
Balta, who will be sentenced in court for assault on April 22, has served a four-match AFL ban and got through his comeback appearance in a VFL practice match on Sunday.
Tigers coach Adem Yze said Balta would be monitored in the coming days before a call is made on whether he plays his first senior game of the season against the Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
"We needed him to get a game under his belt and then it's depending on how he plays and how he pulls up," Yze said
"We'll assess how he played, how he pulls up and whether he warrants selection on the way that he played.
"We'll have those discussions later in the week."
Balta, 25, pleaded guilty in the Corowa Local Court to assault occasioning actual bodily harm which in NSW carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.
Prosecutors said the actions of the 2020 premiership player, which hospitalised the victim Thomas Washbrook with head injuries, met the threshold of a high-level offence.
"He's been through a lot so we're keen to get him in because he wants to earn the respect back of his teammates and club and our supporters," Yze said.
"To do that, he wants to get out on the field. He's doing that today, it's the first step of that.
"He'll help a lot of our young boys (in the VFL) ... and he's been terrific over the last month with some of our younger defenders.
"As I said, if he plays well enough he'll warrant selection and we'll have those discussions next week."
Balta would add much-needed experience to a Tigers side that has lost four straight games since a surprise win over Carlton.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1299398/richmond-tigers-to-wait-on-noah-balta-selection-call-after-vfl-return
-
Bring back Balta, the guy is a unicorn and I reckon we’re going to see it after this boot in the backside.
-
Looking forward to seeing if Yze has a spine this week, or is simply a yes man.
-
Looking forward to seeing if Yze has a spine this week, or is simply a yes man.
Do you honestly think this was yze’s call. If the decision was made to delay baltas return for 1 week and counting due to pressures from the afl or outside noise then I’m sure that call was made by people higher up the chain then yze.
-
Looking forward to seeing if Yze has a spine this week, or is simply a yes man.
Do you honestly think this was yze’s call. If the decision was made to delay baltas return for 1 week and counting due to pressures from the afl or outside noise then I’m sure that call was made by people higher up the chain then yze.
No, not all. it was overall the clubs call and they folded like a deck of cards. Yze is part of that.
balta plays if it was a final and dimma was the coach knowing what he thought of the establishment. I think he plays even if it was Yze.
-
Looking forward to seeing if Yze has a spine this week, or is simply a yes man.
Do you honestly think this was yze’s call. If the decision was made to delay baltas return for 1 week and counting due to pressures from the afl or outside noise then I’m sure that call was made by people higher up the chain then yze.
No, not all. it was overall the clubs call and they folded like a deck of cards. Yze is part of that.
balta plays if it was a final and dimma was the coach knowing what he thought of the establishment. I think he plays even if it was Yze.
Apples and oranges. Dimma had cache in decisions like this which you can only get by being a multi time premiership coach of 10+ years. Yze in his 2nd year just doesn’t have that sway and that’s got nothing to do with whether he has a spine or not.
-
"Can I just say, having been followed around for a year by cameras, he is better off not to play."
- James Hird on the Noah Balta situation.
#9FootyClassified
VIDEO: https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1912130019591430158
-
Looking forward to seeing if Yze has a spine this week, or is simply a yes man.
Do you honestly think this was yze’s call. If the decision was made to delay baltas return for 1 week and counting due to pressures from the afl or outside noise then I’m sure that call was made by people higher up the chain then yze.
No, not all. it was overall the clubs call and they folded like a deck of cards. Yze is part of that.
balta plays if it was a final and dimma was the coach knowing what he thought of the establishment. I think he plays even if it was Yze.
Apples and oranges. Dimma had cache in decisions like this which you can only get by being a multi time premiership coach of 10+ years. Yze in his 2nd year just doesn’t have that sway and that’s got nothing to do with whether he has a spine or not.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hardwick-fined-for-abusing-umpire-20120524-1z5w8.html
fined in his 3rd year for abusing an umpire which probably was as a result of being cheated out of a win.
i dont agree, Dimma did have balls where the afl was concerned. He wouldnt stand for this rubbish.
"Can I just say, having been followed around for a year by cameras, he is better off not to play."
- James Hird on the Noah Balta situation.
#9FootyClassified
VIDEO: https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1912130019591430158
only thing that would make sense is this. No one should have to accept having those scum bags follow them around every day of the week.
-
"Can I just say, having been followed around for a year by cameras, he is better off not to play."
- James Hird on the Noah Balta situation.
#9FootyClassified
VIDEO: https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1912130019591430158
Actually agree with Hird here
I think what's been missed here (exception being TigerLand) is we have no idea what impact all of this especially the media pile on has had and is having on Noah's mental well being. Something that should be taken into consideration I reckon
-
"Can I just say, having been followed around for a year by cameras, he is better off not to play."
- James Hird on the Noah Balta situation.
#9FootyClassified
VIDEO: https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1912130019591430158
Actually agree with Hird here
I think what's been missed here (exception being TigerLand) is we have no idea what impact all of this especially the media pile on has had and is having on Noah's mental well being. Something that should be taken into consideration I reckon
Agreed and tbh Noah doesn't strike me as the type to take this sort of pressure very well
-
Strikes me as fairly laconic and not too bothered by much (unless of course you come at his family as is the case with most Slavic people ) :shh
-
Strikes me as fairly laconic and not too bothered by much (unless of course you come at his family as is the case with most Slavic people ) :shh
As is the case with most people.
-
Balta available for AFL return days before sentencing in assault case
By AAP
16 April 2024
NOAH Balta is available to play AFL this weekend and has been 'punished enough' by Richmond over his assault case, says coach Adem Yze.
Balta has pleaded guilty to assault and will be sentenced in court on April 22, just three days after his potential AFL return against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
He served a four-match ban over December's incident and returned to play via a VFL practice match on Sunday.
Yze was unwilling to confirm Balta's inclusion ahead of Richmond's main training session, but declared him available.
"He's available to play this weekend," Yze said on Wednesday.
"So he got through what he needed to get through.
"He'll get through training today, and then as a match committee we'll go through that later today.
"Unless 'Dimma' (Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick) is happy to tell us who's playing for Gold Coast this weekend, I'm not going to divulge who we're going to put in our team today before we go through selection, before we need to."
The optics of Balta, 25, returning to the field while awaiting his sentence have been queried.
"I understand there's opinions, but right now he's served his suspension," Yze said.
"We went really hard with doing so, and he's been dealing with that for three months.
"He missed another game of footy so we've suspended him for four, and now he's had five weeks out.
"We've got to just make sure that we're looking after the player as well.
"As I said all along, that's been a discussion we had with the AFL at the start of this whole process.
"He's been working on himself and he can't wait to get out and repay or try to earn the respect back of not only us as a club and his teammates, but it's around our supporters and the AFL community. So he's got to do that at some stage."
When asked if Balta pleading guilty changed anything from Richmond's perspective, Yze said: "No, not at all.
"He pleaded guilty by the fact that he told us what happened, and that's why we went really hard.
"We've got young players at our club right now and on our list that needed to understand that it was wrong, what he did, and that's why we went really hard.
"Right now, he served that sentence, and he's getting ready to play, and now it's around performance."
When pressed on Balta's sanction, Yze was keen to "move on" from the key defender.
"We've made that decision as a footy club – we've already punished him, we don't want to keep punishing him," he said.
"So if we decide to play him this weekend, that's everyone else's opinion, not ours."
When asked if Richmond's steadfast support of Balta had been worth it, given the scrutiny, Yze said: "Yep.
"He's a Richmond man, and as I said, we've punished him enough."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1300638/richmond-tigers-defender-noah-balta-available-for-afl-return-days-before-sentencing-in-assault-case
-
some nice words by yze hopefully he backs it up.
when you think of it, there is no better game for Balta to start in against Dimma's team.
They will treat him quite nice. Can you imagine the outcry by caro types the week after for anzac eve. Forget it. Must play this week.
-
Strikes me as fairly laconic and not too bothered by much (unless of course you come at his family as is the case with most Slavic people ) :shh
As is the case with most people.
You wouldn't. :shh
-
Strikes me as fairly laconic and not too bothered by much (unless of course you come at his family as is the case with most Slavic people ) :shh
As is the case with most people.
You wouldn't. :shh
Because I’m not Slavic
-
Strikes me as fairly laconic and not too bothered by much (unless of course you come at his family as is the case with most Slavic people ) :shh
As is the case with most people.
You wouldn't. :shh
Because I’m not Slavic
Clearly. :shh :shh
-
In. :clapping
-
In. :clapping
Noah Balta will make his return for Richmond on Saturday night against Gold Coast - three days before he is sentenced in the NSW courts for an assault charge he has pleaded guilty to
@7NewsMelbourne @7AFL
https://x.com/cleary_mitch/status/1912755820980498787
-
Cue the outrage
-
Well done :thumbsup. Very happy and it is the perfect game for him with Dimma.
-
Finally! Showing we’ve got some aggits
-
Some strong words from Matthew Richardson as Richmond recalls Noah Balta for senior selection.
VIDEO: https://x.com/3AWisfootball/status/1913005253626114227
-------------------------
Richmond great Matthew Richardson has called for more education on the danger of coward punches in the wake of the club’s selection call.
“I’m looking at a bigger picture, I actually spoke to Matt Cronin from the Pat Cronin Foundation,” he said on Wide World of Sports.
“Noah (Balta) has made a horrendous decision. I think this is an opportunity for Richmond and the AFL now to come together now and work towards educating young people on the dangers of violence.”
https://www.3aw.com.au/richmond-makes-big-call-on-noah-baltas-availability-for-gold-coast-clash/
-
From Barrett's Sliding Doors column today:
IF ...
I don't believe the AFL should adopt the NRL's "no fault" stand down policy because of many pitfalls ...
THEN ...
I do believe the AFL and the Tigers should have implemented it with Noah Balta. Simply cannot believe he's been cleared to play, before being sentenced in a NSW court for serious assault. Yes, I know the initial AFL-backed Tigers ban aligned with the court hearing, which was subsequently pushed back a fortnight. But the goalposts changed on everything when Balta not just pleaded guilty, but was shown on CCTV to be acting in a highly disturbing way. I won't be listening for a very long time to any word this club dares to utter on any form of social messaging. Because only one thing matters – actions.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1300400/sliding-doors-if-damo-has-read-some-bizarre-club-statements-then
-
I can understand people saying it’s just another week why not just delay it further in what is more or less a meaningless game for us considering our position, however what would happen if over the coming days the sentencing hearing got pushed back another month and then as that approached it got pushed back again and so on?
Everyone and their dog knows he’s going to get a slap on the wrist especially the oh so vocal VIC premier who is seeing people get off left right and centre.
-
Old Slugger Balta made a huge difference tonight. He bathed King and our backline looked infinitely more solid.
-
Old Slugger Balta made a huge difference tonight. He bathed King and our backline looked infinitely more solid.
Million percent
So much for being unable to handle the pressure
What a crock
-
Great to have him back.
Missed his insane power and strength. Massive kick.
Boggles the mind this guy is up for assault from 3 punches and didn't hurt the 'victim'. I get it, he made a mistake. But all involved is lucky his punches were 10% of the power he has.
-
Great to have him back.
Missed his insane power and strength. Massive kick.
Boggles the mind this guy is up for assault from 3 punches and didn't hurt the 'victim'. I get it, he made a mistake. But all involved is lucky his punches were 10% of the power he has.
To be completely honest, and while I don't one but condone what he did, I agree with your last sentence. When I saw the footage I didn't think Balta was going all out trying to kill the guy. He was whacking him for sure but not like he was going 100%.
Victim got his payout and that's all he wanted, that's very clear.
-
Had a classic balta moment at the end game when he ran way under the flight of the ball but was up there with our best in a game where we had a lot of very good performances.
-
Hahahaha Dimma basically told the premier to stfu
-
Great to have him back.
Missed his insane power and strength. Massive kick.
Boggles the mind this guy is up for assault from 3 punches and didn't hurt the 'victim'. I get it, he made a mistake. But all involved is lucky his punches were 10% of the power he has.
To be completely honest, and while I don't one but condone what he did, I agree with your last sentence. When I saw the footage I didn't think Balta was going all out trying to kill the guy. He was whacking him for sure but not like he was going 100%.
Victim got his payout and that's all he wanted, that's very clear.
Yep I'll die on the hill with this. He pushed him over grazed his face and gave him 3 glorified closed fisted slaps.
Victim posted a video online with blood from the graze. Legal team did their job and media have had a field day.
Nobody condones what he did but I'll die on the hill it's the biggest beat up of any AFL scandal I can remember. Fox Footy just did a whole segment on Noah and the crowd boos...Hats off to Noah for playing such an outstanding game.
I hope the case clears up some finer details and hope that the victims medical report is revealed so to the extent of the actual physical damage can give some context to the hysteria.
-
Jay Clark on Fox Footy tonight reckons the court on Tuesday will give Balta some form of community service.
-
Hahahaha Dimma basically told the premier to stfu
Absolutely class response from Dimma and him reaching out to Balta - Good stuff.
-
Hahahaha Dimma basically told the premier to stfu
Absolutely class response from Dimma and him reaching out to Balta - Good stuff.
so bloody good. told that stupid premier exactly what he thought of her and this government.
***final warning for you, keep your misogynistic crap off the forum***
-
Yze backs Balta after defender's crucial role in win
By AAP
20 April 2025
ADEM Yze has lauded Noah Balta's influential contribution in his controversial return as Richmond ended Gold Coast's unbeaten start to the season in a tense 11-point upset.
The surprise 12.8 (80) to 9.15 (69) result followed a week of fierce scrutiny over Richmond's handling of Balta's recall.
After serving a four-match ban, Balta made his first appearance of the season just three days before he will be sentenced for assault.
The premiership defender held opponent Ben King to one goal in a strong performance, despite the intense spotlight and the possibility of jail time hanging over his head.
"It's not only highlighting the talent of Noah but it highlights the effort and the training that he's done over the last three months," Yze said.
"He's done a mountain of work, extras, supporting our younger players ... not only to get himself right to play, but he's been trying to win back the respect of his footy club.
"He knows he let the club down, he knows he did something wrong, but he's been dealing with that every day.
"Noah's performance today was outstanding and it's a credit to him. We're really proud of him."
Jeers for Balta by some in the relatively small crowd of 18,423 fans were regularly drowned out by cheers from Richmond supporters.
And the Tigers' faithful had plenty to celebrate as their rebuilding side sprung one of the biggest shocks of the season so far.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1302922/coaches-richmond-tigers-v-gold-coast-suns
-
Hahahaha Dimma basically told the premier to stfu
Absolutely class response from Dimma and him reaching out to Balta - Good stuff.
Agree it was a class act by Dimma reaching out to Noah.
-
Media commentary #1
Balta helps Tigers get a rare win, but at what cost?
Peter Ryan
The Age
21 April 2025
Richmond’s outstanding upset win over Gold Coast would not have happened without Noah Balta’s performance in defence.
He restricted Ben King to four disposals and one goal. He took four intercept marks and joined premiership teammate Nick Vlastuin in halting the Suns’ last-quarter onslaught.
The Tigers needed him, and his performance showed why they stuck to the penalty they imposed upon him soon after he was charged with assault for an incident in NSW on December 30. The Tigers resisted the public pressure to extend his ban until after this Tuesday, when he will be sentenced for the crime. That pressure came because the sentencing date was pushed back and after Balta pleaded guilty to assault in the Corowa Local Court in late March when previously unseen footage of the incident was aired.
That vision of Balta attacking the victim – who lodged a civil claim for damages which has now been settled – was horrible; exactly the sort of dangerous incident we want stamped out on our streets.
Balta is remorseful. He co-operated with authorities and has undergone education. It’s hoped he will become a better person for the experience, but first he will have to deal with whatever penalty the court decides to impose on him on Tuesday.
Richmond have established a reputation over the past decade of sticking with their players during legal processes or AFL investigations and staring down critics. But in refusing to budge on Balta’s ban, the Tigers have lost some respect as a community leader.
By allowing him to play against the Suns, the Tigers won a game of football but thumbed their noses at community sentiment. They put their needs as a team ahead of the opportunity they had to send a wider message to the world about violence. It might not seem fair, but the footage of the assault – and the extension of the court date beyond the original suspension – changed everything.
Of course, no one at the Tigers thinks what Balta did was acceptable. As their coach Adem Yze said, the tall has worked hard to regain the respect of his football club. Nor should anyone think one mistake cannot be redeemed.
But the Tigers had a chance to show where such behaviour sits in their decision-making, and they chose to take a player-first approach.
It was a decision of a bygone era, from a time when football clubs were a joke in many sections of the community and before they started preaching about how important they were within the community.
The decision to hold firm led to officials delivering ridiculous messages. They told us Balta had trained hard in the past three months and had done everything right to earn his chance to play. Unfortunately, the decision also led to head-scratching cheers for Balta as booing rang out when he played on Saturday night.
Those advocating to reduce violence in the community would have been entitled to shake their heads in despair.
Some straight talking from the club would have been more credible. It would have meant saying something like, “we need Noah in our backline and we won’t cop penalties being changed because the player and his teammates would not forgive us”. Of course, they didn’t dare.
Even Balta’s ex-coach at the Tigers, Damien Hardwick, diverted his post-match comments about Balta to a criticism of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan for using the selection of the 25-year-old as a political decoy.
Hardwick will have plenty supporting his view the premier should stay out of football matters, but given the amount of public money that has gone into building training and administration centres for elite AFL clubs and grandstands – including $15 million from Andrews government to Punt Road’s development – the government has some skin in the game. A community licence is a community licence.
Of course criticism of the premier hasn’t come from Richmond, but nor has criticism of Richmond been confined to the premier. Even the Tigers’ esteemed premiership forward Jack Riewoldt said he didn’t think Balta should have played.
The truth is, the most consistent sentiment is disappointment rather than anger that the Tigers couldn’t wait for one more week for Balta to play.
Richmond are a great club with good people. They have run some of the competition’s best community programs, particularly their Korin Gamadji program that helps educate Indigenous youth. Dealing with young people is complex, and sometimes the right answers are more obvious to those at the coalface than observing from afar.
But, to date, Richmond have not used Balta’s mistake to positively shape attitudes towards community violence. It’s been mystifying. Unless there are other reasons they are yet to explain, the Tigers, on this issue, have lost some respect. They will need to do some work to win it back.
That work should start on Tuesday when Balta receives the NSW court’s judgment.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/balta-helps-tigers-get-a-rare-win-but-at-what-cost-20250420-p5lsyh.html
-
Media commentary #2
"I'm not going to be listening to one word that football club says to me about any other social cause while they choose to make that decision." - Damien Barrett
Was it wrong for the Tigers to play Noah Balta?
#9AFLSFS
https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1913750062787592677
-
Media commentary #3
North Melbourne two-time premiership player King believes the development of their young talent should not have been risked by playing Balta.
“This is the exact conversation - Richmond has put four points before the cultural discussion we have every three weeks about football clubs - the standards you walk by and standards you accept, those sorts of things,” he said.
“They have put this victory before that. They made a business decision, and they get the tick and get the four points. But are there other side effects not yet coming to the surface?”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/four-points-before-culture-great-slams-tigers-choice-to-play-balta-despite-extraordinary-performance/news-story/1056e13261843485f3850493d17d4cad
-
Really??
What should he get 2 years?
It was a brain snap, drinking and family involved.
What about Noah’s state of mind?
Let’s just get on with it and hopefully he gets a suspended sentence.
-
It's funny how you can spin things, whatever gets people talking is the medias goal.
Nobody really engaged with the story:
Richmond culture helps Noah Balta return to footy and life after awful mistake and plays a blinder - good news story.
What gets people talking and engaged is how awful it all is. A shame and Blight on not only national media but global media.
Anything for $, clicks and to stay relevant. Damien Barrett funny how he was about the only Channel 9 footy personality NOT approached by a channel 7 to jump across. Wonder why? Stay relevant Damo.
-
It's funny how you can spin things, whatever gets people talking is the medias goal.
Nobody really engaged with the story:
Richmond culture helps Noah Balta return to footy and life after awful mistake and plays a blinder - good news story.
What gets people talking and engaged is how awful it all is. A shame and Blight on not only national media but global media.
Anything for $, clicks and to stay relevant. Damien Barrett funny how he was about the only Channel 9 personality approached by a channel 7 to jump across. Wonder why? Stay relevant Damo.
👍🏿
-
Noah Balta trained today [Monday], will attend the court for his sentencing tomorrow [Tuesday] on what is a players day off and if he does avoid a jail sentence the plan is for him to train on Wednesday then play on Anzac Eve against Melbourne
@FOXFOOTY
5:32 PM · Apr 21, 2025
https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1914220724350558627
-
Hope he gets a suspended sentence, some community service, then shoves it up Dees' and everyone else's arses on Thursday night tbh.
He's copped a worse beating than the tosser he smacked around.
-
True, I hope the courts take into account when sentencing the constant mauling he has been under by making the incident footage public . We are a very unforgiving society , I bet what sentence he gets there will be those with self interest calling for much more .
-
Noah has avoided jail - but has a night curfew until June which will mean he will be unable for selection on Thursday and Dreamtime.
-
No jail time as expected. Has a night curfew from 10pm-6am for 3 months though so no night games for him during that period. Depending on when it kicks in, looks like he won’t be able to play in 2-3 games.
-
No interstate trips either I read
And he paid the nonce 45k in damages , what a joke
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
-
Surely he can have that varied to allow him to play football. Also, how silly is it that he can’t travel interstate when he lives interstate. I’ve seen these orders varied to allow people to work and travel interstate before.
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
Corowa is in NSW and there is no chance in hell they’ll appeal.
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
Corowa is in NSW and there is no chance in hell they’ll appeal.
Politically motivated when our premier had to open her stupid mouth. You think people who bust into peoples homes is only limited to victoria? I dont.
they shoudl appeal because tht wording makes no sense at all.
if it stands then he misses a further 5/6 games.
-
if this stands i would play him in every night game and then sub him out at three quarter time.
stuff them all.
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
Corowa is in NSW and there is no chance in hell they’ll appeal.
Politically motivated when our premier had to open her stupid mouth. You think people who bust into peoples homes is only limited to victoria? I dont.
they shoudl appeal because tht wording makes no sense at all.
if it stands then he misses a further 5/6 games.
His occupation put aside, the sentence is relatively light. What he should do is work with NSW corrections staff at trying to vary the conditions of his order. Trouble is, if word gets out it will create a furore in the media beyond what we have seen already. An appeal will do the same thing and you also risk a harsher sentence.
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
Corowa is in NSW and there is no chance in hell they’ll appeal.
Politically motivated when our premier had to open her stupid mouth. You think people who bust into peoples homes is only limited to victoria? I dont.
they shoudl appeal because tht wording makes no sense at all.
if it stands then he misses a further 5/6 games.
His occupation put aside, the sentence is relatively light. What he should do is work with NSW corrections staff at trying to vary the conditions of his order. Trouble is, if word gets out it will create a furore in the media beyond what we have seen already. An appeal will do the same thing and you also risk a harsher sentence.
from the judge
His lawyer asked for an exception to this ruling to allow the Richmond Tigers footballer to play scheduled night matches.
Richmond has two scheduled night matches in that period including Thursday's Anzac eve clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Magistrate Humphrey told the court the curfew was a punitive element and said Balta would be required to make changes to his employment to fit the sentence.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-22/noah-balta-sentencing-richmond-afl-assault-mulwala/105099568
i really hope yze plays him
-
How about we appeal to have the curfew lifted if Noah can be observed after dark? So, 80,000 Richmond supporters can vouch for him during night games, after the match he can be wheeled out of the ground trussed up on a trolley - Hannibal Lechter style!
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
Corowa is in NSW and there is no chance in hell they’ll appeal.
Politically motivated when our premier had to open her stupid mouth. You think people who bust into peoples homes is only limited to victoria? I dont.
they shoudl appeal because tht wording makes no sense at all.
if it stands then he misses a further 5/6 games.
His occupation put aside, the sentence is relatively light. What he should do is work with NSW corrections staff at trying to vary the conditions of his order. Trouble is, if word gets out it will create a furore in the media beyond what we have seen already. An appeal will do the same thing and you also risk a harsher sentence.
from the judge
His lawyer asked for an exception to this ruling to allow the Richmond Tigers footballer to play scheduled night matches.
Richmond has two scheduled night matches in that period including Thursday's Anzac eve clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Magistrate Humphrey told the court the curfew was a punitive element and said Balta would be required to make changes to his employment to fit the sentence.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-22/noah-balta-sentencing-richmond-afl-assault-mulwala/105099568
i really hope yze plays him
Just read what the magi said, I must admit that it was a s hit go by him to include that.
-
So the magistrate is saying that Noah poses a risk to the community being out after 10pm but not before?
Bloody ridiculous decision
-
lets not forget there are 2 games not fixtured yet and you can bet the afl corrupt pigs will fixture us night games.
cats and crows.
he could miss 7 games.
-
So the magistrate is saying that Noah poses a risk to the community being out after 10pm but not before?
Bloody ridiculous decision
Night time curfews are common for alcohol related offences but to deliberately ignore someone’s working arrangements when considering a curfew is excessive, he could have varied it to 11-00 pm. Lucky there wasn’t community work hours attached to the order, that would wipe out quite a few weekends.
-
The curfew finishes July 25.
-
if this stands i would play him in every night game and then sub him out at three quarter time.
stuff them all.
Yep, this 100%.
Sub him off and drive him home. Support staff to do recovery sessions in his house.
-
Wouldn't the curfew only apply in NSW? :huh
-
Wouldn't the curfew only apply in NSW? :huh
A curfew is a nicer word for bail conditions, any bail conditions are nationwide, regardless of which state the offence / trial is in.
-
How does everyone feel about our beloved state and premier now?
What a stuffin joke. Politically motivated when you consider we have Africans heading into people's homes on bail roaming around
I hope they appeal.
How the hell do you link a Magistrate Court hearing in NSW with the Premier of Victoria?
You do understand that this/was a criminal matter in NSW
I understand you can't stand the Premier, you've made the abundantly clear but seriously this is her doing?
-
Politically motivated when our premier had to open her stupid mouth. You think people who bust into peoples homes is only limited to victoria? I dont.
they shoudl appeal because tht wording makes no sense at all.
if it stands then he misses a further 5/6 games.
Just another ridiculous comment
Firstly, Premier was asked a question, she answered ... what do you expect her to say? "No comment"... you keep harping on about how the govt is soft on crime in this state, they are trying to show they are getting tough (far too late IMHO) and you keep sooking but laud our former coach who was clearly trying to divert attention away from his teams pathetic performance
Secondly and more importantly you are questioning the integirty of 1/ the NSW judicial system and 2/ the magistrate
Do you seriously think that if the magistrate was influenced it was by just the Premier and no one else?
-
The premier could have very easily avoided that question willy…
-
exactly HRT.
WP you are an alp apogist so your comments are laughable. She has declined to answer many questions on crime, but ooh no this was one different hey. I bet if he was kennett you would be peeeing your pants to quickly jump on here and bag him and rightly so.
I mentioned this earlier. They have blokes going into peoples homes in every state (although this pathetic one being the worst) and are they subjected to curfews? No they are not. He knocked a bloke out in a fight which many of us have done in our lifetimes. Lets compare that to her and others stance on the rest.
lets revisit what the imbecile said, and it wasnt just dimma who told her what they think of her comments. Does she sit down with her kids and tell them its okay to do what she has allowed other crims to do as well? :shh
Like many Victorians... I'll be sitting down with the kids, they'll be watching Hawthorn, I'll be looking at Essendon's results,' Allan continued.
'Either way, when we sit down (and watch the footy), how do we explain to kids, particularly, how do we answer that question?
'How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question about what's going on here? What sort of message does this send to kids about what's right and what's wrong?
'I think that's really a question that the AFL and Richmond need to answer.
'Let's remember the victim here who would no doubt be deeply traumatised by this experience.'
David King and Dane Swan had both clapped back at the Premier over the comments, with the former suggesting she should 'read the room' given Victoria is currently managing a surge in crime of late.
'I've never seen as many machete-carrying, weapon-bearing people out on bail just attacking us left right and centre,' King said on SEN.
-
Wouldn't the curfew only apply in NSW? :huh
A curfew is a nicer word for bail conditions, any bail conditions are nationwide, regardless of which state the offence / trial is in.
The curfew is a condition of the Community Correction Order. He is no longer on bail as he has been sentenced. The Crimes (Interstate Transfer of Community Based Sentences) Act 2004(NSW) allows for a Community Correction Order made in NSW to be transferred to another State..
-
Jamal Alameddine, 51, was riding in the back of a taxi on Campbell St at Liverpool, in Sydney’s west, about 6.30am on Tuesday when it was stopped by police – who allegedly found a loaded pistol, $9000 and drugs inside.
But despite already being subject to a court order banning him from possessing a gun, Magistrate Melissa Humphreys granted Alameddine bail in Liverpool Local Court the same day.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/jamal-alameddine-bailed-on-charges-of-gun-possession-after-liverpool-taxi-sting/news-story/7ebc509faef7b82f88f7e2447db37c23
:shh same magistrate?
-
Wouldn't the curfew only apply in NSW? :huh
A curfew is a nicer word for bail conditions, any bail conditions are nationwide, regardless of which state the offence / trial is in.
The curfew is a condition of the Community Correction Order. He is no longer on bail as he has been sentenced. The Crimes (Interstate Transfer of Community Based Sentences) Act 2004(NSW) allows for a Community Correction Order made in NSW to be transferred to another State..
A much more correct answer than my layman one, yep.
-
I am not calling Willy an ALP apologist but think it’s very odd that he would expect her to answer an irrelevant question (to her anyway) on Noah Balta while she continually deflects answering questions on state debt, the rise of violent crime, why we continue to be the highest taxed state in Australia and the ridiculous pursuit of the srl.
It makes no sense and is therefore a nonsense to so purposefully answer one question directly and avoid answering the ones so closely linked to her agenda.
Deflect one, deflect them all!
-
I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.
Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.
So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.
Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.
At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.
I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.
-
Is there anything stopping the AFL changing the location and timing of the games?
-
Is there anything stopping the AFL changing the location and timing of the games?
A good question.
I highly doubt they will change any games that have been fixtured already, even for a reason that would be supported by the media. The media would have a field day if they did.
Bigger question is, would the AFL consider the unfixtured games and time slots to cater for Baltas curfew?
-
Is there anything stopping the AFL changing the location and timing of the games?
A good question.
I highly doubt they will change any games that have been fixtured already, even for a reason that would be supported by the media. The media would have a field day if they did.
Bigger question is, would the AFL consider the unfixtured games and time slots to cater for Baltas curfew?
Absolutely not, and nor should they.
You'll know we've been stitched up if we get evening games every week but otherwise I expect they'll pay it no notice at all.
-
That’s a great post Tigerland.
Could not have put it better myself.
A young school kid who was effectively kidnapped into a car while walking home after school and then thrown out at high speed has permanently been injured physically snd mentally while the perpetrators were prosecuted but escaped any form of jail time.
That gets little or no air time from media or our amazingly brave premier while we are hyper focused on a guy who did an idiotic thing but has an almost 100% prospect of being rehabilitated.
Why put him on a curfew? It’s laughable.
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
-
That’s a great post Tigerland.
Could not have put it better myself.
A young school kid who was effectively kidnapped into a car while walking home after school and then thrown out at high speed has permanently been injured physically snd mentally while the perpetrators were prosecuted but escaped any form of jail time.
That gets little or no air time from media or our amazingly brave premier while we are hyper focused on a guy who did an idiotic thing but has an almost 100% prospect of being rehabilitated.
Why put him on a curfew? It’s laughable.
Well they did say the curfew was punitive.
So it doesn't appear to be about rehabilitation or keeping the public safe.
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
-
Quite happy with the curfew. But only if they apply it to all the home invading, car jacking, drug dealing, tobacco extortionist, bikie miscreants, machete wielding lawbreakers.
Weak judgement stuffed justice system, massive negative for me
-
Club Statement on Noah Balta
Richmond Football Club has issued the following statement:
Noah Balta has been fined $3000, issued with an 18-month community corrections order and assigned a three-month curfew after a court hearing in Albury today.
Balta said his actions were unacceptable and that he was deeply sorry.
“I apologise to the victim, my family and friends, and everyone associated with the Richmond Football Club,” Balta said.
“I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer.
“I will continue to work to improve myself to ensure this never happens again.”
Richmond CEO Shane Dunne reiterated that Balta’s actions were unacceptable.
“Noah has been held accountable for his actions and has paid a significant price as he should,” Dunne said.
“This Club does not condone violence in any form, and it is why we took such a strong and immediate stand when this incident came to light.
“Noah has worked hard to improve himself in the months following the incident, undertaking education and counselling. That work will continue.
“With the judicial process now concluded, it remains our collective expectation that Noah learns from this, and we see the best version of him going forward.”
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1763132/club-statement-on-noah-balta
-
Richmond CEO Shane Dunne speaks to @cleary_mitch after Noah Balta's sentence for assault was handed down. @7AFL #7NEWS
Video: https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1914568164396163243
-
I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.
Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.
So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.
Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.
At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.
I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.
Best post I’ve ever read on this forum
No sides
No agenda
Just a factual post based on experience and COMMON SENSE
-
One thing that will probably never be addressed
Why did he do it ?
The bloke he hit is clearly an A grade flog
There had to be a reason .. maybe Noah was sticking up for 18yo’s
Who would know ? Noah could have been doing the world a favour
-
I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.
Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.
So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.
Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.
At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.
I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.
:clapping :clapping
-
One thing that will probably never be addressed
Why did he do it ?
The bloke he hit is clearly an A grade flog
There had to be a reason .. maybe Noah was sticking up for 18yo’s
Who would know ? Noah could have been doing the world a favour
We'll probably never know, but I agree with you.
I also don't buy into the woke nonsense that nobody ever deserves to have their head kicked in.
For example, if someone raped your child I doubt you'd be upset if someone kicked their head in for you. I would kill. Nobody ever seems to have a bad work to say about Marianne Bachmeier.
Everyone has a price and a limit and a boundary for different things etc.
Sick of all the effing virtue signalling.
-
exactly HRT.
WP you are an alp apogist so your comments are laughable. She has declined to answer many questions on crime, but ooh no this was one different hey. I bet if he was kennett you would be peeeing your pants to quickly jump on here and bag him and rightly so.
As always when I try and debate an issue with you and call out your over the top rants you come back to your stock standard political rhetoric of I am ALP apologist, leftists woke.
I am very much aware that she's avoided answering questions on crime. But the bit you seem to fail to get your political biased head around is the fact that since her numbers started to tank and she and her govt have decided to do something about crime (will repeat far too late IMHO) she's been talking it about ad nauseum. As I said she was asked a question and she answered it. Did I agree with her answering it? I'll be honest have no issue. Would love to know what our former policeman Oppo Leader thinks, funny he's been silent. Would you have an issue if he said the same as the Premier?
As for Jeff Kennett, would have no issue with him or any pollie making a comment. End of the day that's what they do. When it's all said and done it's about votes. they will say anything to get a vote. If you don't know that by now and it is what all sides of politics do; then your not as switched on as you claim
I mentioned this earlier. They have blokes going into peoples homes in every state (although this pathetic one being the worst) and are they subjected to curfews? No they are not. He knocked a bloke out in a fight which many of us have done in our lifetimes. Lets compare that to her and others stance on the rest.
You boasting about knocking someone out; suggesting violence is OK? And please don't generalise "many of us" .... how would you know?
lets revisit what the imbecile said, and it wasnt just dimma who told her what they think of her comments. Does she sit down with her kids and tell them its okay to do what she has allowed other crims to do as well? :shh
Like many Victorians... I'll be sitting down with the kids, they'll be watching Hawthorn, I'll be looking at Essendon's results,' Allan continued.
'Either way, when we sit down (and watch the footy), how do we explain to kids, particularly, how do we answer that question?
'How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question about what's going on here? What sort of message does this send to kids about what's right and what's wrong?
'I think that's really a question that the AFL and Richmond need to answer.
'Let's remember the victim here who would no doubt be deeply traumatised by this experience.'
David King and Dane Swan had both clapped back at the Premier over the comments, with the former suggesting she should 'read the room' given Victoria is currently managing a surge in crime of late.
'I've never seen as many machete-carrying, weapon-bearing people out on bail just attacking us left right and centre,' King said on SEN.
I am well aware of what she has said and what others have said. However, If you are going to post quotes from the media I suggest you at least quote the source - site rules
This is clearly an emotive issue. I get that
I've got no issue with anyone having an opinion, you obviously do.
-
I am not calling Willy an ALP apologist but think it’s very odd that he would expect her to answer an irrelevant question (to her anyway) on Noah Balta while she continually deflects answering questions on state debt, the rise of violent crime, why we continue to be the highest taxed state in Australia and the ridiculous pursuit of the srl.
It makes no sense and is therefore a nonsense to so purposefully answer one question directly and avoid answering the ones so closely linked to her agenda.
Deflect one, deflect them all!
Thank you HRT, think I've covered why she answered in my reply to Frankie.
-
I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.
Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.
So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.
Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.
At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.
I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.
Sensational post :clapping :clapping
Spot on; on so many levels
-
Media commentary #1
Gerard Whateley has questioned how public blowback to Richmond making Noah Balta available at AFL level may have impacted the Tiger’s sentencing as he’ll miss several more matches in 2025.
“The unknowable is, was this the full suite of penalties all along? Or the curfew, which was completely unexpected, does it come as a result of the magnitude of the case?,” Whateley posed.
“It had built up, there was a public expectation around meeting a certain standard. Has that became part of it?
“It was very much front of mind and there was a demand for a severe penalty because of the football decision that was taken.
“Had the football decision not been taken, it would’ve been a much quieter couple of weeks in the build up to sentencing. I just think it was a poor backdrop where you couldn’t see the wood for the trees.
“Football was never the major contemplation here, it was to get through sentencing.”
Demons legend Garry Lyon said Balta’s penalty was “never going to please everyone,” but thinks Mrs Humphreys — “whether unknowingly or not” got the football sanction right.
“I don’t know if anyone would suggest an eight-game suspension was lenient in this case,” Lyon said.
“I don’t know whether everyone is going to be 100 per cent pleased with it, but eight games is hefty. We understand the victim in this and our thoughts are with him.
“But that’s a penalty, and Balta has from all reports shown remorse. That can be an easy throwaway thing, but I’m told it’s genuine and he’s committed to rehabilitating himself and also being a conduit for the message that violence is unacceptable.
“So hopefully there can be some good come out of this.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2025-reactions-to-noah-balta-sentencing-gerard-whateley-garry-lyon-on-afl-360-what-games-will-he-miss-new-details-that-pizza-comments-started-altercation-latest-news/news-story/0b5a20e292537dc63dd27175ed5be3c4
-
Media commentary #2
"He's had six chances to speak ... in my view if he was as remorseful as everyone is telling us he is, he would have spoken at some stage."
@cleary_mitch on Noah Balta 👇
https://x.com/7AFL/status/1914609312703611269
ps. The media making an issue about themselves as usual ::).
-
Media commentary #3
Daisy: "Would this (curfew) have happened if they didn't play him (Balta)?"
Caro: "In my opinion ... it wouldn't have been worse, but it could well have been better."
- The Agenda Setters 👉
https://x.com/7AFL/status/1914606869575881179
-
Media commentary #4
"I think the Magistrate has decided well I'm going to make sure there is that bigger punishment because everyone's saying 'Poor Noah'." - James Hird
Did Richmond's comments around Noah Balta impact his punishment?
#9FootyClassified
https://x.com/FootyonNine/status/1914642409188663651
-
Confirmed - Richmond won’t be fighting the Noah Balta 10pm-6am home curfew that ends on July 22.
Balta will miss
R7 v Melbourne
R11 v Essendon
R12 v GWS
R19 v WCE
R16 v Adel (MCG), R17 v Geel (GMHBA), R18 v Ess (MCG) will be dependent on when the games are fixtured.
https://x.com/cleary_mitch/status/1914544324181942684
The civil compo payout was $45,000 according to 7news.
https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1914595395424149767
-
‘Violence is never the answer’: Balta speaks after sentence as court call to cost him games
Jack Jovanovski
Fox Sports
April 22nd, 2025
Richmond’s Noah Balta says he’s “let a lot of people down” and is continuing to try improve his behaviour after being spared jail time at Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
“I apologise to the victim, my family and friends, and everyone associated with the Richmond Football Club,” Balta said in a statement.
“I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer.
“I will continue to work to improve myself to ensure this never happens again.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-noah-balta-avoids-jail-time-after-sentencing-hearing-verdict-outcome-community-service-order-pled-guilty-to-assault-charge-will-he-miss-more-games-latest-news/news-story/01036cfa56ae0504df22a0348fb5fde4
-
Didn't take long to find an example of the ridiculous inequality of our justice system.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.espncricinfo.com/story/michael-slater-handed-suspended-prison-term-for-domestic-violence-1482478%3fplatform=amp
Laughable. Repeat offender. Breach of bail conditions. Multiple offenses. Suspended sentence and avoided jail time. Groundhog day.
But no let's dominate the crime and media waves with the villain Noah Balta.
-
Amazing the Slater suspended sentence.
Inequality in the justice system. An overflow from the umpiring system??
If Noah had not pleaded guilty would the matter have been dismissed when the victim was paid out and dropped charges?? Or would the police have pressed charges on video evidence??
Paying the victim out was probably a waste of money?
-
The settlement pre-trial generally helps the case for the assailant in that it's included in the package arguing for a lesser sentence. Along with his no prior record, guilty plea and turning himself in immediately shows an element of good character which would have been used for the argument for no jail time. If the civil case has been settled (compensation agreed), means the judge only needs to focus on the criminal charges which in good faith helps the criminal case. I'd have been extremely confident without those things he would have avoided jail time based on the impact of the assault and a strong argument that Noah's intent to harm was low as his known strength if used properly to harm would have caused significant injury.
Publically the settlement helps, also the victim's tune turned very quickly post settlement, even coming out publically saying he was fine, and he thought Balta should return to work. If there is no settlement, and got ugly in the public (which shouldn't happen but did), it could have further Noah and possibly worsen his sentence. There is also a risk to take the civil case to trial and risk the judge slapping 100k damages to the victim. With all the hysteria that has been created and the personalised punishment of not being able to return to work properly, it was wise in the end to settle as it's obvious that Noah's case was used to send a message, it wouldn't have surprised me if the civil case wasn't settled pre trial that he would have had a larger sum of compo to pay out. Settlement also generally is better for the victim so they don't have to go through the trial process.
-
The settlement pre-trial generally helps the case for the assailant in that it's included in the package arguing for a lesser sentence. Along with his no prior record, guilty plea and turning himself in immediately shows an element of good character which would have been used for the argument for no jail time. If the civil case has been settled (compensation agreed), means the judge only needs to focus on the criminal charges which in good faith helps the criminal case. I'd have been extremely confident without those things he would have avoided jail time based on the impact of the assault and a strong argument that Noah's intent to harm was low as his known strength if used properly to harm would have caused significant injury.
Publically the settlement helps, also the victim's tune turned very quickly post settlement, even coming out publically saying he was fine, and he thought Balta should return to work. If there is no settlement, and got ugly in the public (which shouldn't happen but did), it could have further Noah and possibly worsen his sentence. There is also a risk to take the civil case to trial and risk the judge slapping 100k damages to the victim. With all the hysteria that has been created and the personalised punishment of not being able to return to work properly, it was wise in the end to settle as it's obvious that Noah's case was used to send a message, it wouldn't have surprised me if the civil case wasn't settled pre trial that he would have had a larger sum of compo to pay out. Settlement also generally is better for the victim so they don't have to go through the trial process.
Thank you for the heads up
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
Or have you succumbed to the clickbait divisive media cycle that literally is designed to feed you content that makes you cranky?
Aus is still a very good place to live by most metrics.
-
Jacinta now refuses to answer fresh questions about why Victoria was forced to sit through a curfew during covid despite there being no health related rationale.
Ironic much?
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
Or have you succumbed to the clickbait divisive media cycle that literally is designed to feed you content that makes you cranky?
Aus is still a very good place to live by most metrics.
No mate
I believe Australia is stuffed
By my own metrics
Nanny state of the highest order .. can’t discipline kids anymore .. public school system pushing BS agendas .. cost of living absurd .. comparative pensions a disgrace .. crown jewel hospital system is failing .. aged care crisis ..
And as for “succumbing”, no mate. I made my mind up long ago and believe in it enough that I moved to another country.
Made my choice and stand by it .. will never be back
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
Or have you succumbed to the clickbait divisive media cycle that literally is designed to feed you content that makes you cranky?
Aus is still a very good place to live by most metrics.
Agree Willy, people need to stop succumbing the likes of the ABC, Guardian, Ten & Fairfax/Nine telling them what a horrible, racist, fascist , generally unfair and illegitimate country on the verge of environmental collapse Australia is. :shh
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
Or have you succumbed to the clickbait divisive media cycle that literally is designed to feed you content that makes you cranky?
Aus is still a very good place to live by most metrics.
No mate
I believe Australia is stuffed
By my own metrics
Nanny state of the highest order .. can’t discipline kids anymore .. public school system pushing BS agendas .. cost of living absurd .. comparative pensions a disgrace .. crown jewel hospital system is failing .. aged care crisis ..
And as for “succumbing”, no mate. I made my mind up long ago and believe in it enough that I moved to another country.
Made my choice and stand by it .. will never be back
I think many of those issues are global but fair enough. Hopefully the country you moved to is better.
Hard to keep everyone happy.
-
But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.
Great post.
The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.
Australia is stuffed
Or have you succumbed to the clickbait divisive media cycle that literally is designed to feed you content that makes you cranky?
Aus is still a very good place to live by most metrics.
Agree Willy, people need to stop succumbing the likes of the ABC, Guardian, Ten & Fairfax/Nine telling them what a horrible, racist, fascist , generally unfair and illegitimate country on the verge of environmental collapse Australia is. :shh
Agree. It’s a problem on both sides of politics.
IMO if you get offline and walk around and talk to people most folks are pretty reasonable and Aus is pretty good, albeit imperfect.
Social media and news will have you hating everyone. The algorithms are designed as such.
-
well said Dimma. :clapping Not bad for someone who is apparently diverting attention away from a 5/1 start :shh
Harwick doubles down on criticising Jacinta Allan
Damien Hardwick has doubled down on his attack on Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, and questioned whether magistrates are tough enough on crime, as he called for “less talk, more action” from community leaders.
The Gold Coast coach on Wednesday pressed Allan, following up an unprompted crack at her for questioning whether Richmond defender Noah Balta should have been allowed to play against his Suns on Saturday night as he awaited sentencing for assault.
The coach on Wednesday said he was “really hard on crime, and that’s exactly what I want our premiers, and our political parties to do”.
The comments came at the end of his weekly press conference and were removed from the video of the conference posted on the Gold Coast website.
Damien Hardwick during his side’s loss at Marvel Stadium on the weekend. Picture: Michael Klein
Hardwick coached Balta for his first 72 AFL games at Richmond, including the 2020 premiership win.
Balta played an important role for the Tigers in holding off the Suns on Saturday night, then on Tuesday he was hit with an 18-month community correction order, a $3000 fine and a 10pm-6am curfew that will rule him out of at least four games over the next three months.
The sentencing came after he plead guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an attack in Mulwala in December.
Suns coach Damien Hardwick has taken an extraordinary swipe at the Victorian Premier for her stance on the Noah Balta situation
Balta’s appearance against the Suns was his first of the year after a club-imposed suspension ruled him out of the first month, and he will not play on Thursday against Melbourne due to the curfew.
Hardwick provided a character reference for Balta before his sentencing.
Allan earlier this month questioned how the AFL and Richmond would explain to children that Balta was playing before his sentencing.
Hardwick surprised media on Saturday night after the shock loss to Richmond, when he said her comments were an “absolute mockery”.
“She should just concentrate on getting the state running well,” he said then.
It was not the first time Hardwick had gone after a Victorian premier.
As Richmond coach in 2022, he addressed then-premier Daniel Andrews’ Covid rules and said “If we could just get rid of the close contact rule Dan, that would be terrific”, after the rules meant Tiger Sydney Stack couldn’t play in the VFL.
Hardwick later claimed those comments were “tongue in cheek”.
On Wednesday, the Suns coach went at Allan and court judges, as well as the ABC for not questioning whether enough was being done about crime.
“It’s more just I want her (Allan) to be tough on crime,” he said.
“Noah got his fair whack, he made a really poor decision. He understood that and he knows that.
“What we need to do in society is be harsh on crime. I still stand by that and I always will. It’s accountability and its responsibility.
“I’m really hard on crime, and that’s exactly what I want our premiers, and our political parties to do.
“Less talk, more action … magistrates, premiers, less talking, less chest beating, more getting to work and getting it done.”
“We as taxpayers demand it, you as a taxpayers’ funded organisation, the ABC, should be demanding more of it – less questioning me, more questioning premiers.”
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-now-latest-updates-injury-lists-tribunal-and-team-news-on-wednesday-ahead-of-round-7/live-coverage/25d1c210c2b3843b7720934e8f529645
-
Jacinta now refuses to answer fresh questions about why Victoria was forced to sit through a curfew during covid despite there being no health related rationale.
Ironic much?
Reporter: The explanation, though, given to Victorians, was that this curfew was based on public health advice. The files released through FOI show that that was not the case. It was not on public health advice. So who made the decision? Did you support it at the time, and why did you lie to Victorians about it being on public health advice?
Jacinta Allan: That last point I absolutely reject.
Reporter: So you didn’t say it was on public health advice?
Jacinta Allan: The advice at the time, the former premier and the former chief health official explained in great detail why these measures are important, why they were focused on protecting the health and well being of the Victorian community.
Reporter: Why fight the release of these files for four and a half years?
Jacinta Allan: There was a process that was undertaken that was based on the advice of officials, and I’m not going to comment on that process.
-
Jacinta now refuses to answer fresh questions about why Victoria was forced to sit through a curfew during covid despite there being no health related rationale.
Ironic much?
Reporter: The explanation, though, given to Victorians, was that this curfew was based on public health advice. The files released through FOI show that that was not the case. It was not on public health advice. So who made the decision? Did you support it at the time, and why did you lie to Victorians about it being on public health advice?
Jacinta Allan: That last point I absolutely reject.
Reporter: So you didn’t say it was on public health advice?
Jacinta Allan: The advice at the time, the former premier and the former chief health official explained in great detail why these measures are important, why they were focused on protecting the health and well being of the Victorian community.
Reporter: Why fight the release of these files for four and a half years?
Jacinta Allan: Can you ask me a question about Noah Balta?
EFA
-
Noah has been punished for his actions. He has shown genuine remorse. He has taken responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty at an early stage in the proceedings, by paying compensation to the victim and undertaking a course voluntarily to address anger management. He should be left alone to get on with his life. The media's behaviour has been downright disgraceful. To demand that he speak to the media at the press conference today is totally uncalled for and any refusal by him cannot be seen as a sign of no remorse. I have concerns for his mental health given the media's behaviour. The club have handled the situation well and I am glad the media officer told the press to lay off today.
-
I have nothing but contempt for the media. Their agenda is never about anything other than clicks.
-
I have nothing but contempt for the media. Their agenda is never about anything other than clicks.
Well yeah. Clicks are what generates income.
Only way to change it is to actually pay for good journalism which most people aren’t willing to do.
-
I have nothing but contempt for the media. Their agenda is never about anything other than clicks.
Well yeah. Clicks are what generates income.
Only way to change it is to actually pay for good journalism which most people aren’t willing to do.
Yeah and stop clicking/doom scrolling, which everyone does.
Guilty myself, the algorithms really know how to get under my skin.
-
Richmond coach Adem Yze understandably grilled over Noah Balta today. It was at the start of the ninth question he and Head of Communications Nicki Malady had enough.
VIDEO: https://x.com/DavidZita1/status/1914899046101102756
-
Noah Balta interview
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/04/23/2d11002c-e870-43c5-989b-8a0d0d82cf12/3ibH2lam.jpg?width=902&height=536) (https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1763709/noah-balta-interview)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1763709/noah-balta-interview
-
Why isn’t Balta playing VFL? It doesn’t conflict with his curfew.
-
I believe Yze said that he didn't play today just due to everything that has been happening this week with court etc. so pretty much a personal/mental health day off.
-
I believe Yze said that he didn't play today just due to everything that has been happening this week with court etc. so pretty much a personal/mental health day off.
Missed that, thanks mate
-
Curfew buster? Tigers rule out AFL request for more day games
Richmond will not lobby the AFL for a series of afternoon games from round 16-18 to dodge Noah Balta's curfew ...
Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-rules-out-request-for-day-games-after-noah-baltas-threemonth-curfew/news-story%2F9158359683a7ab5a008feeb8ba34b462
-
Curfew buster? Tigers rule out AFL request for more day games
Richmond will not lobby the AFL for a series of afternoon games from round 16-18 to dodge Noah Balta's curfew ...
Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-rules-out-request-for-day-games-after-noah-baltas-threemonth-curfew/news-story%2F9158359683a7ab5a008feeb8ba34b462
Don't reckon we have to lobby, we aren't going to get many if any prime time games
-
Curfew buster? Tigers rule out AFL request for more day games
Richmond will not lobby the AFL for a series of afternoon games from round 16-18 to dodge Noah Balta's curfew ...
Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-rules-out-request-for-day-games-after-noah-baltas-threemonth-curfew/news-story%2F9158359683a7ab5a008feeb8ba34b462
Don't reckon we have to lobby, we aren't going to get many if any prime time games
You better believe the GFL will make sure the match down in Geelong will be at night now. :shh
-
Curfew buster? Tigers rule out AFL request for more day games
Richmond will not lobby the AFL for a series of afternoon games from round 16-18 to dodge Noah Balta's curfew ...
Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-rules-out-request-for-day-games-after-noah-baltas-threemonth-curfew/news-story%2F9158359683a7ab5a008feeb8ba34b462
Don't reckon we have to lobby, we aren't going to get many if any prime time games
You better believe the GFL will make sure the match down in Geelong will be at night now. :shh
AFL Barwon- but 100% you’re spot on
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpVn2IObYAIWiUd?format=jpg&name=small)
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1305746/sliding-doors-if-houston-has-belted-opponents-twice-in-his-past-four-matches-then
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpVn2IObYAIWiUd?format=jpg&name=small)
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1305746/sliding-doors-if-houston-has-belted-opponents-twice-in-his-past-four-matches-then
LMAO
What an effwit
-
Yet some on here agree with him :shh
That's the funny part.
I wish I could say he is the biggest dog n the media, but there are so many ifs hard to keep up.
-
What Caroline Wilson disliked about Noah Balta’s public apology
3aw
26 April 2025
Earlier in the week, the punishment was handed down to Richmond’s Noah Balta and the defender broke his silence and apologised for his actions to the public.
Caroline Wilson wasn’t a fan of Balta’s public apology saying he should of “at the very least” made a statement live and instead of a pre-recorded video.
“The club said he was going to speak the day of the court findings, he didn’t,” Wilson said on 3AW Football.
“He should never have played last week, Richmond and the AFL knew the penalty wasn’t strong enough.”
https://www.3aw.com.au/what-caroline-wilson-disliked-about-noah-baltas-public-apology/
-
What Caroline Wilson disliked about Noah Balta’s public apology
3aw
26 April 2025
Earlier in the week, the punishment was handed down to Richmond’s Noah Balta and the defender broke his silence and apologised for his actions to the public.
Caroline Wilson wasn’t a fan of Balta’s public apology saying he should of “at the very least” made a statement live and instead of a pre-recorded video.
“The club said he was going to speak the day of the court findings, he didn’t,” Wilson said on 3AW Football.
“He should never have played last week, Richmond and the AFL knew the penalty wasn’t strong enough.”
https://www.3aw.com.au/what-caroline-wilson-disliked-about-noah-baltas-public-apology/
Blah, blah Caro
It wouldn't matter what he did it wouldn't have been acceptable to you
No doubt you'd be satisfied if you got an exclusive
-
All about Caroline again, she is such a selfish one as we all know they just wanted to personally attack Balta, Her selfishness is no different form most of the AFL media as they are all just shock jocks.
-
Stick to your boring board room gossip Caro. :shh