Noah Balta has played six games as a full-time key defender in 2020 and has improved and developed as each match has ticked by.
He’s played on the likes of Tom McDonald, Ben Brown, Jeremy Cameron and Eric Hipwood and has acquitted himself magnificently.
Balta’s blessed with athletic traits that would be the envy of most players in the league and he needed to call on all of them when tackling Port’s bearded behemoth, Charlie Dixon.
Dixon holds the moniker as the most dominant big man in the game in 2020 and lead all comers in the terms of contested marks with 32 going into the game, averaging 3.6.
This was a litmus test for Balta and it didn’t take long for the one-on-one battle to begin, Port’s first two inside 50s were directed at Dixon and Balta was right on his back shoulder.
The Tiger colt halved the two contests, before Dixon fought back, slotting 1.2 in the opening term, that could have been three-straight.
Such is the Richmond way, Balta remained positive and stuck to the task, but a weight of numbers meant Dixon eventually took the points.
Balta will learn and grow from the experience and in no way lowered his colours.
Source: AFL website
