Richmond FC assistant coach David Teague interview with Garry Lyon, Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes.
LISTEN: https://megaphone.link/NTETP8984530523-----------------------
“ABSOLUTELY”: BALTA LOCKED IN FOR NEW GIG DESPITE LYNCH'S IMMINENT RETURNBy Seb Mottram
SEN
19 Feb 2024Noah Balta is locked in to start the 2024 season up forward, making good on pre-season predictions for the Richmond swingman.
Balta was among the Tigers’ best in a surprise scratch match win over Melbourne on Sunday, kicking multiple goals and competing strongly against All-Australian Steven May.
The vast majority of Balta’s 85 AFL games have come down back but with Jack Riewoldt’s retirement and Tom Lynch’s delayed start to the year, new coach Adem Yze has got creative with his best 22 and trialled Balta up forward in recent months.
Balta, 24 years of age and standing at 194cms, is going to need to become a leader of the Tigers' young forward line, according to assistant David Teague.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Teague responded on SEN Breakfast when asked if Balta would start the home and away season up forward.
“He was probably one of our better players yesterday, along with Shai (Bolton), we had lots of good players but against Steven May and quality opposition he gave us a really good contest down the line and allowed our small forwards to get into the game.
“His pre-season has been really strong, he’s probably as fit as he's ever been so he’ll continue to grow as a player and a person.
“His leadership and that side of things is going to be important because we’re pretty young down there with Tom Lynch out.”
Balta has previously been proven as an AFL forward when booting four goals against GWS in Round 2, 2022.
Balta and recruit Jacob Koschitzke will start as Richmond’s key targets in Opening Round, with the Tigers saying Lynch is eyeing a Round 1 return from a foot injury.
The two-time premiership star only began running in recent weeks and given he hasn’t played since Round 4 2023, it wouldn’t surprise to see Lynch given more time on the sidelines.
Teague – who has been in charge of the forwards at Richmond – believes Lynch, Balta and Koschitzke can all play in the same team.
However, he suggested it may lead to less time on ground for Lynch early in the year.
“They can all fit in. We hope Tom will be up and going, he’s doubtful for Opening Round but we’re hoping he’ll be going pretty soon after that,” Teague explained.
“I think they can all play together. You need to have someone on the bench, we feel Noah and Jacob can both play in the ruck as well.
“If he’s coming off a limited pre-season a little less game time wouldn’t hurt, he normally plays really high game time, but we feel like we can manage those guys and keep the pressure on at ground level.”
Yze’s men haven’t been tipped for much in 2024, but their showing at Casey Fields on Sunday inspires optimism for the upcoming campaign.
Richmond comes up against Collingwood on February 27, the final practice run before taking part in the inaugural Opening Round against Gold Coast.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/02/18/absolutely-balta-locked-in-for-new-gig-as-tigers-float-change-to-lynchs-role/
