Forward moves: Tigers hoping for the best from BaltaJon Pierik
The Age
February 26, 2022 Richmond hope premiership defender Noah Balta can play his best football up forward in a year the Tigers hope to reclaim their status as one of the most feared teams in the AFL.
Balta, 22, was drafted with the 25th selection in the 2017 national draft from the Calder Cannons as a key forward but has played the majority of his 44 senior matches in defence. It was thought the retirement of David Astbury would mean there was a greater need for Balta to lock down a key defensive post but the Tigers lured veteran Robbie Tarrant from Arden St.
This has allowed the Tigers to experiment with Balta inside attacking 50, where he can play off Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt.
Balta, whose 2021 campaign was derailed by a syndesmosis injury, was used up forward in last week’s intra-club clash and is likely to spend time there again against the Cats in a practice match in Geelong on Saturday. Riewoldt said the Tigers wanted to unlock Balta’s best football.
“He was drafted as a forward. I had a good look at him. I remember [recruiting chief] Blair Hartley’s tape and looking at him and Callum Coleman-Jones, who we selected with the first two picks of that year, clearly, Noah is an extremely talented player,” Riewoldt said.
“He has plied his trade the majority down the back for us. But I think the fact that [Josh] Gibcus and Tarrant have come along, we have been afforded the ability to play Noah a bit more forward and possibly in the ruck as well. He is a multi-talented, multi-positional player that we feel we may get the best of him up forward.
“Hopefully, he can star up there, and I can start to get the third best defender - that is my wish.”
Lynch, whom Tigers senior advisor Neal Balme indicated would return on Saturday from a hamstring strain, is the No.1 option up forward but Riewoldt, who may consider retirement later this year, remains a great of the game. Despite suggestions he was on the wane, Riewoldt booted 51 goals last year, finishing equal sixth in the Coleman Medal.
Tarrant also took part in the intra-club clash, and he has embraced his new club and teammates. However, after 174 matches and a Syd Barker Medal with the Kangaroos, it could take time for him to feel a true Tiger.
Riewoldt, the three-time premiership star, said he and his teammates were mindful of Tarrant’s history.
“Obviously, it can be an awkward move when you have been at a football club for so long and I think he has really enjoyed coming into our environment. It’s a bit of a different list demographic to North Melbourne, North are, obviously, up and coming and have a lot of great young talent, and a few old heads,” he said.
“We have a few more old heads, a few more guys over that dreaded 30 years of age barrier, and I think Taz has enjoyed being around guys like that as well.
“We are very conscious of the fact that he plays for Richmond but he is a North Melbourne man.
“He poured his heart and soul into that football club and that will never be lost on us as much as he will be very invested in Richmond. We are still respectful of the fact he has poured his heart and soul into another football club and try to be as respectful of that as well.”
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/forward-moves-tigers-hoping-for-the-best-from-balta-20220225-p59zkz.html
