Noah Balta - Sign 7 Yesr Contract Extension [merged]

[Diocletian]

Hope we hit the draft this year with all our earlier picks hopefully even trade up....maybe get a decent cheap(er) free agent like Rory Laird...

Didn’t Laird just sign a 6 year deal to stay

5-year extension apparently....

Someone else then....preferably cheaper than the likes of Kelly but still a good player...unless we can somehow snag Kelly without compromising our payment structure (and GWS don't match)...

[one-eyed]

The Tigers' general manager of football talent, Blair Hartley, said the No.25 draft selection from the 2017 NAB AFL Draft had added plenty to the reigning premiers with his versatility.

"As a young key position player, Noah has already shown an ability to influence games. We are really excited about his development and look forward to watching him continue to grow with the rest of our team.

"Noah has worked hard on his game since he first arrived at the club, and this is a great reward for his efforts."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/574173/from-fill-in-to-first-choice-new-deal-seals-richmond-tiger-noah-baltas-rise

[Diocletian]

Wish he'd utilise that big boot of his more.......

[Tiger Khosh]

Was given an absolute bath in the first half. Much better in the second but if we’re being honest it was hardly down that end of the ground. Needs to work on his 1v1 defending.

[Diocletian]

Been very ordinary since round 2...

[Tigeritis™©®]

Bring back Rance.

[Andyy]

Some of his follow up efforts haven't been great either, like he's either gassed or cbf chasing.

[one-eyed]

Lloyd questioned the recent form of developing young defender Noah Balta.

“Noah Balta’s probably not going as well he has. He’s backed off a bit,” he added.

Source: SEN

[mightytiges]

Nice to see Balta return to form tonight after a couple of ordinary weeks. Noah was huge tonight as a defensive wall (out-)marking everything that came his way especially after half-time. Allowed us to keep the ball in our forward half.

[Chuck17]

Helped that Schache is poo, thank god we didn’t get him

[eliminator]

Helped that Schache is poo, thank god we didn’t get him

Totally agree.

[Gracie]

Helped that Schache is poo, thank god we didn’t get him

Schache has played Balta back inti form. So is playing for us 

[one-eyed]

Q. How did you see Noah Balta's game: He started in the ruck but you really needed in defence?

Hardwick:
We did. We sort of love his flexibility. To be fair it doesn't suit Noah to go from A to B to C if that makes sense. We really want to stabilise him where he is at. We thought we get a good at him at second ruck tonight then push Nank forward a little bit more which we did get a bit of an opportunity to do. But as you [reporter] said they [GWS] are big boys. We didn't expect Hogan to play but he got up and played. Then they brought in the two rucks as well. I wouldn't say it caught us by surprise but it did make us change our mind a bit about how we would match up down back. Noah played some crucial roles, took a couple of crucial marks and big spoils as well. He played his part really well.

[Andyy]

I thought he was average. Bit out of form but moving him around to the ruck and forward instead of playing CCJ will not help him. He was caught spectating a few ruck contests and the one shot at goal he had didn't even register a score.

Just leave him in the D50, back him in, he'll come good.

[Diocletian]

He's a defender first & foremost - he'll get better at the other positions but they should never be more than cameos unless develop another quality tall defender who can also play up the ground...like Miller or Biggie if they come on....