Noah Balta charged with assault

[Chuck17]

But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.

Great post.

The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.

[Andyy]

That’s a great post Tigerland.
 Could not have put it better myself.
A young school kid who was effectively kidnapped into a car while walking home after school and then thrown out at high speed has permanently been injured physically snd mentally while the perpetrators were prosecuted but escaped any form of jail time.
That gets little or no air time from media or our amazingly brave premier while we are hyper focused on a guy who did an idiotic thing but has an almost 100% prospect of being rehabilitated.
Why put him on a curfew? It’s laughable.

Well they did say the curfew was punitive.

So it doesn't appear to be about rehabilitation or keeping the public safe.

[Damo]

But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.

Great post.

The part of your post above is my biggest gripe with the way Australia culture has gone over the last decade or so.

Australia is stuffed

[MintOnLamb]

Quite happy with the curfew. But only if they apply it to all the home invading, car jacking, drug dealing, tobacco extortionist, bikie miscreants, machete wielding lawbreakers.

Weak judgement stuffed justice system, massive negative for me

[one-eyed]

Club Statement on Noah Balta

Richmond Football Club has issued the following statement:

Noah Balta has been fined $3000, issued with an 18-month community corrections order and assigned a three-month curfew after a court hearing in Albury today.

Balta said his actions were unacceptable and that he was deeply sorry.

“I apologise to the victim, my family and friends, and everyone associated with the Richmond Football Club,” Balta said.

“I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer.

“I will continue to work to improve myself to ensure this never happens again.”

Richmond CEO Shane Dunne reiterated that Balta’s actions were unacceptable.

“Noah has been held accountable for his actions and has paid a significant price as he should,” Dunne said.

“This Club does not condone violence in any form, and it is why we took such a strong and immediate stand when this incident came to light.

“Noah has worked hard to improve himself in the months following the incident, undertaking education and counselling. That work will continue.

“With the judicial process now concluded, it remains our collective expectation that Noah learns from this, and we see the best version of him going forward.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1763132/club-statement-on-noah-balta

[one-eyed]

Richmond CEO Shane Dunne speaks to @cleary_mitch after Noah Balta's sentence for assault was handed down. @7AFL #7NEWS

Video: https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1914568164396163243

[Damo]

I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.

Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.

So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.

Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.

At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.

At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.

I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.

Best post I’ve ever read on this forum

No sides
No agenda

Just a factual post based on experience and COMMON SENSE

[Damo]

One thing that will probably never be addressed

Why did he do it ?

The bloke he hit is clearly an A grade flog

There had to be a reason .. maybe Noah was sticking up for 18yo’s

Who would know ? Noah could have been doing the world a favour

[Francois Jackson]

I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.

Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.

So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.

Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.

At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.

At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.

I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.

 

[Andyy]

One thing that will probably never be addressed

Why did he do it ?

The bloke he hit is clearly an A grade flog

There had to be a reason .. maybe Noah was sticking up for 18yo’s

Who would know ? Noah could have been doing the world a favour

We'll probably never know, but I agree with you.

I also don't buy into the woke nonsense that nobody ever deserves to have their head kicked in.

For example, if someone raped your child I doubt you'd be upset if someone kicked their head in for you. I would kill. Nobody ever seems to have a bad work to say about Marianne Bachmeier.

Everyone has a price and a limit and a boundary for different things etc.

Sick of all the effing virtue signalling.

[WilliamPowell]

exactly HRT.

WP you are an alp apogist so your comments are laughable. She has declined to answer many questions on crime, but ooh no this was one different hey. I bet if he was kennett you would be peeeing your pants to quickly jump on here and bag him and rightly so.

As always when I try and debate an issue with you and call out your over the top rants you come back to your stock standard political rhetoric of I am ALP apologist, leftists woke. 

I am very much aware that she's avoided answering questions on crime. But the bit you seem to fail to get your political biased head around is the fact that since her numbers started to tank and she and her govt have decided to do something about crime (will repeat far too late IMHO) she's been talking it about ad nauseum. As I said she was asked a question and she answered it. Did I agree with her answering it? I'll be honest have no issue. Would love to know what our former policeman Oppo Leader thinks, funny he's been silent. Would you have an issue if he said the same as the Premier?

As for Jeff Kennett, would have no issue with him or any pollie making a comment. End of the day that's what they do. When it's all said and done it's about votes. they will say anything to get a vote. If you don't know that by now and it is what all sides of politics do; then your not as switched on as you claim

I mentioned this earlier. They have blokes going into peoples homes in every state (although this pathetic one being the worst) and are they subjected to curfews? No they are not. He knocked a bloke out in a fight which many of us have done in our lifetimes. Lets compare that to her and others stance on the rest.

You boasting about knocking someone out; suggesting violence is OK? And please don't generalise "many of us" .... how would you know?

lets revisit what the imbecile said, and it wasnt just dimma who told her what they think of her comments. Does she sit down with her kids and tell them its okay to do what she has allowed other crims to do as well? 


Like many Victorians... I'll be sitting down with the kids, they'll be watching Hawthorn, I'll be looking at Essendon's results,' Allan continued.

'Either way, when we sit down (and watch the footy), how do we explain to kids, particularly, how do we answer that question?

'How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question about what's going on here? What sort of message does this send to kids about what's right and what's wrong?

'I think that's really a question that the AFL and Richmond need to answer.

'Let's remember the victim here who would no doubt be deeply traumatised by this experience.'

David King and Dane Swan had both clapped back at the Premier over the comments, with the former suggesting she should 'read the room' given Victoria is currently managing a surge in crime of late.

'I've never seen as many machete-carrying, weapon-bearing people out on bail just attacking us left right and centre,' King said on SEN.

I am well aware of what she has said and what others have said.  However, If you are going to post quotes from the media I suggest you at least quote the source - site rules

This is clearly an emotive issue. I get that

I've got no issue with anyone having an opinion, you obviously do. 

[WilliamPowell]

I am not calling Willy an ALP apologist but think it’s very odd that he would expect her to answer an irrelevant question (to her anyway) on Noah Balta while she continually deflects answering questions on state debt, the rise of violent crime, why we continue to be the highest taxed state in Australia and the ridiculous pursuit of the srl.

It makes no sense and is therefore a nonsense to so purposefully answer one question directly and avoid answering the ones so closely linked to her agenda.

Deflect one, deflect them all!

Thank you HRT, think I've covered why she answered in my reply to Frankie.

[WilliamPowell]

I reckon I've written and deleted variations of this post many times. I'll admit I'm jaded by the justice system, as someone who has worked in the system for a period of my life and have had known people to be assailants and victims with some insane hypocritical and a wide range of outcomes for similar crimes, it's borderline third world county stuff our system. FJ link to crime story only one of the hundreds of examples filled with inequality. I'd be surprised if many on here have not experienced by inequality of crimes and justice. The worst is domestic violence.

Simply put, what Noah did was a crime, it was assault but I just can't resonate with the hysteria and outcome. There are known assailants who have assaulted their vulnerable partners, multiple times and have received CCOs or ICOs. You see continued breaches of FVOs go unpunished, unreported as if nobody actually cares about these vulnerable people (mainly women and children). We see little to nothing being done about home invasions and rise of gang crimes. So that's the base I'm coming from seeing Noah's case and in perspective it is absolutely nothing. The victim, thankfully is unharmed, he is not injured apart from a few scraps which have bleed easily, likely because of the contents in his blood stream. But that context doesn't fit a juicy sensationalistic media story links to the nationwide popular AFL juggarnaut. If only our media were half as passionate about real problems and crimes we currently are experiencing.

So the trial is done, a corrections order as expected. As for the curfew, I find it embarrassingly media driven, based on Noah playing football and how the curfew will be a constant PR bus for the justice system about assault. Whilst that can be a positive, it's not just or fair for Noah. The curfew could have been specific to a location, venues, alcohol free based etc. I would argue there is a borderline ground for mistrial / suppression order with the amount of garbage that has been thrown around, I suspect Noah just wanted this over and done with, hence the quick settlement and payout for a victim with injuries that were fixed with a packet of Band-aids. Funny that the Geelong player has been protected in the media, more so the victim being protected and rightly so. A shame Noah wasn't given the same respect he deserved. Not to mention the release of the footage, victims lawyer going to multiple media outlets, his employer as well.

Funny that Noah's employment was deemed a punishment not the usual positive rehabilitation aspect of sentencing or taking into account his mental health in rehabilitating by returning to work properly and moving on positively with his life. An aspect in many sentences was conveniently overlooked. Plenty of cases where assailants are given opportunities to rehabilitate like promoting educational programs, integrating into local sport or workplaces for positive role modelling. Would think that RFC as an employer would be the perfect place for Noah to spend as much time at during the 3 month curfew and positively rehabilitating from his 'assault'. But doesn't fit the PR shaming train.

At the end of the day, the curfew means he misses few games of footy, it's not a big deal in the scheme of life but what has been lost all along here is the impact of this scapegoating has had on Noah. Every media personality and politician having a say whether he should return to his workplace or not and get on with his life, just because he plays footy. We crap on about mental health and have 'Spuds Day' and worry about concussions later impact on mental health and male suicide but as a footy media they have ran Noah through the mud, championed him to be fired from his workplace, not play again, not play till the trial is over, commented on every boo he received vs GC. I have not read one single media outlet having the brains to call this stuff out, we do the 'check on your mates' and 'RU OK day' stuff, yet when push comes to shove the media absolutely shat the bed here and hang a guy out to dry for a couple of extra clicks, $ and sensationalism rubbish. On flip side, media have lost an opportunity for some positive media in celebrating Noah's resilience, or Richmond culture and faith in their group to support Noah enough to get him up to playing such a positive game. But again, doesn't fit the narrative of modern day sensationalism, anger and fear mongering clickbait media.

At end of day, hope Noah comes through this OK, he has not been thought of at all through the process, even when he turned himself in, pleaded guilty and came to settlement for the victim. The victim, thankfully, is fine and laughing with his payday all the way to the bank.

I just hope over the next 3 months of the circus continuing with him being allowed to play VIC day games, then dropped for night and Interstate games that the hysteria dissipates.

Sensational post 

Spot on; on so many levels

[one-eyed]

Media commentary #1

Gerard Whateley has questioned how public blowback to Richmond making Noah Balta available at AFL level may have impacted the Tiger’s sentencing as he’ll miss several more matches in 2025.

“The unknowable is, was this the full suite of penalties all along? Or the curfew, which was completely unexpected, does it come as a result of the magnitude of the case?,” Whateley posed.

“It had built up, there was a public expectation around meeting a certain standard. Has that became part of it?

“It was very much front of mind and there was a demand for a severe penalty because of the football decision that was taken.

“Had the football decision not been taken, it would’ve been a much quieter couple of weeks in the build up to sentencing. I just think it was a poor backdrop where you couldn’t see the wood for the trees.

“Football was never the major contemplation here, it was to get through sentencing.”

Demons legend Garry Lyon said Balta’s penalty was “never going to please everyone,” but thinks Mrs Humphreys — “whether unknowingly or not” got the football sanction right.

“I don’t know if anyone would suggest an eight-game suspension was lenient in this case,” Lyon said.

“I don’t know whether everyone is going to be 100 per cent pleased with it, but eight games is hefty. We understand the victim in this and our thoughts are with him.

“But that’s a penalty, and Balta has from all reports shown remorse. That can be an easy throwaway thing, but I’m told it’s genuine and he’s committed to rehabilitating himself and also being a conduit for the message that violence is unacceptable.

“So hopefully there can be some good come out of this.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2025-reactions-to-noah-balta-sentencing-gerard-whateley-garry-lyon-on-afl-360-what-games-will-he-miss-new-details-that-pizza-comments-started-altercation-latest-news/news-story/0b5a20e292537dc63dd27175ed5be3c4

[one-eyed]

Media commentary #2

"He's had six chances to speak ... in my view if he was as remorseful as everyone is telling us he is, he would have spoken at some stage."

@cleary_mitch on Noah Balta 👇

https://x.com/7AFL/status/1914609312703611269


ps. The media making an issue about themselves as usual  .