Noah Balta charged with assault

[one-eyed]

Club Statement: Noah Balta

By Richmond Media
9 Jan 2025

Richmond has suspended Noah Balta following an off-season incident that has led to him being charged with assault.

Balta will miss the first four matches of the 2025 AFL season.

He will also miss both pre-season matches, complete education programming and undertake counselling.

Balta will continue to train at the Club during this period.

“Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident. He has assisted the NSW Police in their investigation and he is keen to have the matter concluded as soon as possible. While the outcome of the investigation and the charge will be a matter for the Police and the Courts, both Noah and the Club accept that players can't put themselves in these situations,” Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said.

“After thorough consideration - which included discussions with the player leadership group - we arrived at a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident and at the same time will help Noah address this behaviour.

“The Club will continue to support him through this period and our collective hope, and expectation, is that we will see the best of Noah on and off the field from this point on.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1706701/club-statement-noah-balta

[georgies31]

Bit harsh for me

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Ridiculous. And totally AFL driven. We’ve lost our balls since Benny left
Tyler Young probably baited him

[WilliamPowell]

Ridiculous. And totally AFL driven. We’ve lost our balls since Benny left
Tyler Young probably baited him

Looking at it from a different angle. Don't believe it is AFL driven at all but the Club acting and dishing out a punishment meaning the AFL really can't come in over the top and dish what they feel like to try and make one of their moral statements

He must have done something that the clubs knows about IMO.

Maybe it's just me but my first thought was Noah's obviously told them today exactly what's happened and the Club led by the senior leaders (players in particular) have acted and made their decision based on that. Simplistic? Perhaps but based on what's happened today seems logical

It's easy to pot the CEO, the coach but in 3 weeks we will know alot more when he faces court

4 weeks from the club.

Good strong statement imo because all these young blokes have to learn from this. poo will happen but you have to be smart and not get caught up in it.

Tend to agree with this,  people last year lamented how standards throughout the entire Club had dropped. Maybe with so many young blokes coming through this is the reset to standards that is needed

FWIW my personal view is the penalty is too harsh but it is what it is

[Andyy]

2 not enough.
3 ok IMO.
4 a strong message.

[Damo]

What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂

Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?

It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.

Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I agree 100% Damo and would add if we were a legitimate top 4 chance and not having one eye on another spoon we might in fact take a different approach.
Still think it’s weak as pee

[taztiger4]

What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂

Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?

It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.

Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)

just because you are found not guilty, it doesnt mean you didnt do it

[WilliamPowell]

What happens if he fronts court and gets off lol 😂

Or they slap him with 3.5 mins community service?

It’s absurd how the AFL (and the clubs) have become judge jury and executioner on everything.

Surely he has the due process of innocent until proven guilty? With the AFL it’s guilty until proven innocent (unless it suits them)

Unless he's said to the Club he's in deep doo doos

[pmac21]

You can't go around hitting blokes. 
The club would have enough detail to make a decision you would hope.
I support the sanction, well done to the club.

[Diocletian]

It's a hoax...

[MintOnLamb]

Perfect start to the season….

[Simonator]

I don’t understand how anyone could have a problem with this.

Yes it’s harsh but we have to set the tone for all these 18 year olds.
It’s not about whether Balta is guilty or not (looks like hey actually may be)
It’s about allowing yourself to be in those positions, great lesson for the young blokes at Baltas expense and I’m 100% sure he would know that

[Andyy]

I think if it was self defence or some other faultless incident the club would have done nothing.

To come out with 4 weeks, he has clearly IMO gone to the club and told them he's punched someone's lights out and they've probably advised him to turn himself into the police while they decide a ban.

[Willy]

I think if it was self defence or some other faultless incident the club would have done nothing.

To come out with 4 weeks, he has clearly IMO gone to the club and told them he's punched someone's lights out and they've probably advised him to turn himself into the police while they decide a ban.

Yep.