WHY TIGERS WOULD BE ‘RELUCTANT’ TO MOVE BALTA AMID ‘HEADACHES’… AND RECENT TRADEBen Waterworth, Max Laughton and Jack Jovanovski
Foxsports
18 March 2024It was the free agency move that drew minimal headlines last October. But Richmond sure could use Bigoa Nyuon right now in the wake of several defensive setbacks – and Noah Balta’s impressive outings forward of centre.
Fearing the worst knee diagnosis for Josh Gibcus, Richmond coach Adem Yze on Thursday night said it would be “gut-wrenching” to lose him for the entire season. That concern was realised on Friday when the Tigers confirmed Gibcus had ruptured his ACL.
It’s a major blow for Richmond considering Gibcus – Richmond’s sole top-10 draftee in the past decade – came into this season as arguably its most important defender, considering Dylan Grimes is in his twilight years and Balta’s move into the forward line.
Asked post-game how Richmond should cover Gibcus’ loss, triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt told Fox Footy: “It’s an interesting one, because you would’ve gone to Bigoa Nyuon – but unfortunately he’s been traded to North Melbourne.
“So maybe the Noah Balta experiment forward has to be put on the backburner for a little bit. He was unbelievable (against Carlton), but maybe he has to go back just out of necessity. You would like the luxury of playing him forward. Or do they try Jacob Koschitzke as a key back?
“There’s a few selection headaches for Adem Yze.”
Balta was the shining light for Richmond against Carlton with his efforts up forward and was strong behind the ball in the second half after Yze reluctantly made the switch following the injuries to Gibcus and Tylar Young (concussion), booting 3.0 from 23 disposals, nine marks, nine rebound 50s and eight intercepts.
“You’re really reluctant to move him from the forward line given the productivity that he’s had,” dual premiership Kangaroo David King told Fox Footy.
“He’s such a good competitor. He’s a rare talent.”
Riewoldt said the Tigers “would be kicking themselves” if they had to put Balta behind the ball.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete. The more footy he plays, he will continue to learn the nuances of AFL football,” Riewoldt said. “He’s got elite speed and that keeps him in the majority of contests and he’s incredibly strong.
“I think they would be kicking themselves if they moved him back. It might be out of necessity that he has to go back, but players like that who have those sorts of traits, they are so valuable in the forward line.
“Is he potentially the Charlie Curnow to Tom Lynch and the foil they could start to develop a relationship and become the two-headed monster that Carlton have at Richmond?”
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