Noah Balta [merged]

[one-eyed]

Noah Balta, who dodged an ACL tear but had a season-ending syndesmosis strain

“Noah was close to playing at the end of the season and then we lost and couldn’t play finals. It’s a really important pre-season for Noah to get right. He is so athletic and dynamic given his ability to jump and accelerate with his size is unique so there is definitely an exciting package there.” - Peter Burge.

Source: HeraldSun

[the claw]

Miller time...he can't be any worse than Balta's been for the last month...

Gotta agree he has been poor lately. Reckon we have missed a trick in not getting some games into Miller while Astbury has been injured.

Imo the list management in this area has been poor. A 20 yo Balta holding down a kpd and having the number 1 mantle as a defender
with an aging cooked Astbury and all we have on the list is Nyuon who is very raw and Miller who they just have not seen fit to give a game in three seasons.

These things have been hitting us in the face especially since the Rance retirement.

Come the off season a mature Kpd is a must and somehow we can target a high quality junior kpd in the draft.

 was just reading the thread and came across this one and thought to hell with it most here like to rip in so why not pull your own chain for once claw.

Still believe Ben Miller should start the season as our big shut down defender and see if he can do the Astbury job.

Its a big bonus if this happens Balta can be tried forward and it gives time to Gibcus and Nyuon to develop in the two's and it actually provides just a little bit of KPF depth.

[Andyy]

Miller time...he can't be any worse than Balta's been for the last month...

Gotta agree he has been poor lately. Reckon we have missed a trick in not getting some games into Miller while Astbury has been injured.

Imo the list management in this area has been poor. A 20 yo Balta holding down a kpd and having the number 1 mantle as a defender
with an aging cooked Astbury and all we have on the list is Nyuon who is very raw and Miller who they just have not seen fit to give a game in three seasons.

These things have been hitting us in the face especially since the Rance retirement.

Come the off season a mature Kpd is a must and somehow we can target a high quality junior kpd in the draft.

 was just reading the thread and came across this one and thought to hell with it most here like to rip in so why not pull your own chain for once claw.

Still believe Ben Miller should start the season as our big shut down defender and see if he can do the Astbury job.

Its a big bonus if this happens Balta can be tried forward and it gives time to Gibcus and Nyuon to develop in the two's and it actually provides just a little bit of KPF depth.

Good call claw. I hope the decision not to take JVR doesn't come back to haunt us.

Tarrant if he still has the pace should be our shut down defender for power forwards like Porkins. Miller second defender or the guy that takes the quick ones like Cameron. Allows Grimes to roam a bit. Miller and Biggie need to be getting games, no excuses.

Gibcus might take 6-18m to get going but being a top 10 pick you'd think we'd see him early-ish at least a glance.

[one-eyed]

Noah Balta

Now in his fourth season of footy, Balta has been steadily improving his consistency in defence over that time. He was in strong form until his untimely syndesmosis injury halfway through the 2021 season. An incredibly dynamic player, Balta's biggest strength is his athleticism in defence, able to run off his opponent surprisingly quickly for his size. With the retirement of David Astbury and the short-term recruitment of Robbie Tarrant, Balta is poised to be a long-term leader of the backline. Liam Baker's versatility may count against him in any All-Australian considerations, while a consistent season for Shai Bolton could thrust him into contention – Sarah Black.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/689908/a-star-is-born-who-takes-the-big-leap-in-2022-

[Fluffy Tiger]

Noah Balta

Now in his fourth season of footy, Balta has been steadily improving his consistency in defence over that time. He was in strong form until his untimely syndesmosis injury halfway through the 2021 season. An incredibly dynamic player, Balta's biggest strength is his athleticism in defence, able to run off his opponent surprisingly quickly for his size. With the retirement of David Astbury and the short-term recruitment of Robbie Tarrant, Balta is poised to be a long-term leader of the backline. Liam Baker's versatility may count against him in any All-Australian considerations, while a consistent season for Shai Bolton could thrust him into contention – Sarah Black.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/689908/a-star-is-born-who-takes-the-big-leap-in-2022-

Does this person have any idea or know how to write. I'm not sure if she thinks Liam Baker's versatility would count against Balta making All Australian or Shai Bolton having a consistent season could thrust him into consideration.

[lamington]

That last passage made absolute no sense.

[Andyy]

Sounds like they were talking about who could step up to AA level. Picked Balta, then commented on two of his teammates also.

[one-eyed]

Balta interview on the RFC site:

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1048581/-i-feel-like-my-family-is-slowly-taking-over-tigerland-balta?videoId=1048581&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1642474427001


- Injury last year was difficult as it was his first significant injury. Treated it as a learning experience.

- His ankle has fully recovered.

- Hungry to get back into it and play as he has missed so much due to the ankle injury.

- Did some off-season boxing sessions with his uncles. Put on some upper body muscle so has to lose that now but it was good fun.

- Feels like he can take his game to another level with more experience he has now.

- Tarrant will be awesome (for us).

- Also got a couple of young guns coming through. Biggie will be awesome. Feels this year will be where Biggie builds some momentum.

- Family is taking over Tigerland with two cousins Patrick (2m 2cm, has the talent but is raw) & Mate.

[pmac21]

He said Mate was 1 -2 years from finishing at college in the US. Can anyone confirm this as I was sure Balme said this is his last year and in March he is with us 100%.

[one-eyed]

Tigers tall training in new role

It seems Damien Hardwick is moving the magnets again this season.

By Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
February 15, 2022
 
After seeing his key-position depths depleted in the off-season, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is set to move the magnets in 2022 as he prepares to propel his side back into premiership contention.

The Tigers were made to bid farewell to emerging talls Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol to the Kangaroos and Suns respectively, opening up holes in Hardwick's attacking third.

While the triple premiership coach and his front office opted not to directly plug these voids in the exchange and draft windows, their decision to bolster their rearguard could now see one of the club's best defenders switch to the opposing end of the ground.

The acquisition of highly-rated defender Josh Gibcus through the draft is sure to buoy the backline at Punt Road for the years to come, while adding veteran Roo Robbie Tarrant in exchange for Coleman-Jones gave the Tigers a couple more seasons of seniority on their last line.

The pair are both tipped to feature in Hardwick's defence this year, joining the likes of premiership contingent Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short, Nathan Broad and Noah Balta.

With an overflowing amount of key names calling the backline home, Hardwick has looked to move Balta's services to a more offensive-minded role in joining the forwards this pre-season.

Balta began his career as a forward/ruck utility under Hardwick in 2019, plying his trade across the ground before slotting into a lockdown role in defence later into his tenure, where he quickly emerged as an accountable asset next to the likes of Grimes and Vlastuin.

The 22-year-old now looks set to rekindle his attacking mindset in 2022, with Hardwick stationing Balta as a forward target to fashion a tall three-piece tandem with Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.

The aforementioned addition of Gibcus has allowed Hardwick the needed flexibility to work with wiggle room should his forward structure rely on reinforcements.

"Noah Balta is another young guy we have got big plans for," Hardwick told The Herald Sun.

"Our first draft pick Josh Gibcus is going very, very well, he‘s 196cm very athletic, incredible competitor and he is going to be a very good player for us long term.

"That allows us flexibility so with Noah, do we play him up forward? He has been training with the forwards he has been going very, very well.

"It’s exciting, he is a difference maker, he’s got X-factor, he’s incredibly athletic, can take a good mark and is a thumping kick as well. We’re trying to figure out how it all works, we’re not sure yet but we are working our way through it."

The departures of veteran pairing David Astbury and Bachar Houli were quickly accounted for by the Tigers, with Astbury's key-position role set to be handed to Tarrant and soon enough Gibcus.

As for Houli, the Tigers had already initiated a more proactive approach to find his successor, having moved crafty forward Daniel Rioli into defence in the back half of last season.

In his new role, the 24-year-old flourished, finding the Sherrin more than he ever has in his 114-game career, while offering pace, poise and pressure to the Tigers' half-back line.

Rioli is set to continue in his development as a defender, with Hardwick revealing the Fremantle-born utility has continued to impress in his remodelling.

"We found Daniel Rioli at halfback as we had a fair understanding that it was going to be Bachar’s (Houli) last year so we needed another running dashing halfback and Daniel it was a good move," Hardwick added.

"He will only get better for the training over the off-season."

The Tigers' new-look spine is set to be on display as they continue their preparations for the 2022 season with a pair of pre-season fixtures starting later this month.

Richmond will travel to Kardinia Park to face Geelong on Saturday, February 26 before their AAMI Community Series match with Hawthorn early next month.

https://www.zerohanger.com/tigers-tall-training-in-new-role-97739/
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/afl-coachs-clipboard-richmond-mentor-damien-hardwick-reveals-how-the-tigers-plan-to-rediscover-premiership-form/news-story/c2bbd707f786b7b40d62a4d1edde2bb9

[one-eyed]

MOVING MAGNETS

The acquisition of Robbie Tarrant means the Tigers have been able to move Noah Balta forward and it could pay good dividends.

Balta took a while to find his groove, playing at times on Tarrant, but got off the chain later in the clash and ended up kicking two goals.

Assistant coach Andrew McQualter said the club was excited to see what Balta can bring to the attack once he gets into his groove.

“He has played forward for us in previous years earlier in his career,” McQualter said. “I think there is a lot of potential there.

“We know he had play back (also) but it is something we are trying, so who knows where it can end up.

“He has a lot of talent, Noah. He had trained the whole preseason forward so that’s where it is at the moment.”

Source: HeraldSun

[one-eyed]

YOUNGSTER TO PROVIDE “DYNAMIC OPTION”

Seb Mottram
SEN
2 March 2022

Noah Balta helped the Tigers win the 2020 premiership as a defender but will be doing it at the opposite end of the ground this year after the club confirmed plans to deploy the 22-year-old in the forward line.

Balta has impressed as a key defender over the past two years, but the club feels his assets are just as beneficial ahead of the football, according to GM of football performance, Tim Livingstone.

“It’s permanent at the moment, we think he gives us some great flexibility and different options up the ground,” he added of the positional switch.

“The reality is we lost Mabior Chol and Callum Coleman-Jones last year, so in terms of key forwards, it gives us a dynamic option.

“We’re really excited about seeing how Noah goes this year. He’s powerful, he’s got a great leap on him and can take a mark, so he’ll hopefully be difficult to play on up forward.”

Balta spent time in attack in the club’s recent practice match against Geelong and went goalless, but did impress with his attack on the footy.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/03/02/richmond-veteran-has-trained-the-house-down-youngster-to-provide-dynamic/

[one-eyed]

Balta's game as a forward & follower.

19 disposals (11k, 8h, 9c, 10u, 78.9% eff.)
7 marks ..... ( 3 contested marks )
1 tackle ..... ( that was inside F50 )
3 clearances
5 inside 50s
5 hitouts
3 intercepts
1 free for
2 frees against
448 metres gained
10 score involvements
1 goal assist
3 goals
1 behind
73% time on ground

https://www.afl.com.au/matches/4009#player-stats

[Fluffy Tiger]

Found his spot at CHF. Love it.

[one-eyed]

https://twitter.com/AFLDraftExpert/status/1499937745115901953