BEST AND WORST OF BALTAThere are few players in the competition who have as big a gap between their best and worst as Noah Balta, or the capacity to rapidly swing from one end of the spectrum to the other.
After out-marking Max King on the half-back flank, the athletic defender kicked short to a contest where the Tigers were out-numbered then was caught holding the ball. From the free kick, the Saints scored a much-needed goal through Anthony Caminiti.
Balta was locked in an entertaining and at times spiteful duel with King. The Saints forward shoved the ball into his chest after beating him hands down in a marking contest in the first quarter.
“He’s giving him a f****** bath,” was one Saint’s blunt analysis of the match-up.
He jumped the gun. King had little impact after quarter-time, failing to add to his two goals, while Balta was a major reason why the Tigers won.
Source: The Age.