Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland

TigerPort

Tiger Champion
Jun 29, 2006
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I hope we stick with the ethos we’ve had since 2016 - play players to their strengths. I’d hate to see us try to turn him into something he’s not.

Having said that, what are his strengths, apart from his freakish athleticism?

The thing that sticks in my head was a bit of play - in a trial match early 2018 - where Balta got beaten in the air but instead of dropping his head he sprinted to where the opposition player had kicked the ball to a teammate and Balta affected the play and won the ball back. I know it is just one small instance but not many have that in grained hunger to atone. Obviously has to learn quite a bit but I see he has the will power to go with the freaky athleticism. Good base to mould a pretty decent player
 
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RedanTiger

Tiger Champion
Nov 21, 2004
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I hope we stick with the ethos we’ve had since 2016 - play players to their strengths. I’d hate to see us try to turn him into something he’s not.

Having said that, what are his strengths, apart from his freakish athleticism?
Noted a couple of the following posts talked about his desire and that's all true however..;

He is a BIG kick and reasonably accurate with it.
A big strong contested mark.
Reads the game pretty well and gets to the right spots - when he rucks he generally drops back a kick behind play and mops up marking.
Prepared to get down and dirty in the clinches and give it off.
Hits pretty hard even though I flinch and pray every time he goes for a 50/50 ball. Fearless to his own danger.

His downside is that he can be too headstrong and goes like a bull at a gate sometimes.

Having said all that, he's miles in front of where Rance was in his first few years.
At this stage he's a big strong, headstrong colt with ALL the tools.
 
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caesar

Tiger Legend
Feb 9, 2015
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Noted a couple of the following posts talked about his desire and that's all true however..;

He is a BIG kick and reasonably accurate with it.
A big strong contested mark.
Reads the game pretty well and gets to the right spots - when he rucks he generally drops back a kick behind play and mops up marking.
Prepared to get down and dirty in the clinches and give it off.
Hits pretty hard even though I flinch and pray every time he goes for a 50/50 ball. Fearless to his own danger.

His downside is that he can be too headstrong and goes like a bull at a gate sometimes.

Having said all that, he's miles in front of where Rance was in his first few years.
At this stage he's a big strong, headstrong colt with ALL the tools.

Balta still looks like an Adonis but came back in pretty poor running shape, playing catch up now and having to do a few extras me thinks?
 
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Dont Argue

Tiger Legend
Jun 26, 2018
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Balta still looks like an Adonis but came back in pretty poor running shape, playing catch up now and having to do a few extras me thinks?

And unlike Rance, who would never come back underdone, Balta will not be gifted games in the seniors to learn his craft. Premiership teams don’t gift games and
Noah will rightly be asked to dominate in the VFL.
His first half in last years VFL G.F was deplorable. He’s got a lot to prove. If he turned up out of shape, it may be a fair indication that he doesn’t yet possess the required desire to achieve greatness.
 

taztiger4

Shovelheads- Keeping hipsters off Harley's
Jul 13, 2005
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And unlike Rance, who would never come back underdone, Balta will not be gifted games in the seniors to learn his craft. Premiership teams don’t gift games and
Noah will rightly be asked to dominate in the VFL.
His first half in last years VFL G.F was deplorable. He’s got a lot to prove. If he turned up out of shape, it may be a fair indication that he doesn’t yet possess the required desire to achieve greatness.

I saw a couple of sessions pre Christmas in the company of the great 1 - All Hail Caesar :)

To me he didn't look overweight, he did however lag well behind in the sprints, shuttles etc. I suspect it wasn't by design but dont know for certain.

To be honest if he was having a crack, he should be embarrassed !
 

TrialByVideo

HailBGale!
Mar 1, 2015
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And unlike Rance, who would never come back underdone, Balta will not be gifted games in the seniors to learn his craft. Premiership teams don’t gift games and
Noah will rightly be asked to dominate in the VFL.
His first half in last years VFL G.F was deplorable. He’s got a lot to prove. If he turned up out of shape, it may be a fair indication that he doesn’t yet possess the required desire to achieve greatness.
I'm relying on one of you draft followers here..... is it correct that the knock on Noah in his draft year were doubts over his desire for the game, whether he'd be all in and do the hard work?
Maybe we lock him in a little room with the 2 Ivans and they have a chat about what’s required to succeed!
 

RedanTiger

Tiger Champion
Nov 21, 2004
2,632
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I'm relying on one of you draft followers here..... is it correct that the knock on Noah in his draft year were doubts over his desire for the game, whether he'd be all in and do the hard work?
Maybe we lock him in a little room with the 2 Ivans and they have a chat about what’s required to succeed!
I think that knock was pretty overblown.
He just said he wasn't a big fan of watching games to learn the craft as most draftees would.
 
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jb03

Tiger Legend
Jan 28, 2004
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Balta still looks like an Adonis but came back in pretty poor running shape, playing catch up now and having to do a few extras me thinks?
Silly having to come back in November already in shape. That is what pre-season is for.
 
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kiwitiger

Go the AllBlacks, the Storm , and the Tigers.
Jul 28, 2004
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my concerns with Noah in the backline would be his disposal , not saying its bad ,

But from what I have seen , I think it needs work ,

but i remember similar concerns with Rance
 

TigerMasochist

Walks softly carries a big stick.
Jul 13, 2003
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I think that knock was pretty overblown.
He just said he wasn't a big fan of watching games to learn the craft as most draftees would.
That's the way I heard it. Got a feeling Balta's grown up at kids level being able to dominate just by running out there n having some fun. Probably simply lacking a little professionalism n structural nous. He's obviously got more than enough shiny footy toys to play with, it's more a matter of teaching him the little dot points required to perform properly at big boy level.
 
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TigerMasochist

Walks softly carries a big stick.
Jul 13, 2003
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I like the idea of Balta down back but have also been thinking whether he could become a Nick Riewoldt style hit up forward as well.
Don't think anyone has yet figured out where Balta is best suited playing especially as he's not really a student of the game. Would think he'd be best educated playing down back for a season or two, where the game unfolds and comes to him. Rather than trying to play him forward where he'd need to be instigating n creating opportunities.
Reckon he's still a good two years of learning the game before he starts to become the footballer he's capable of being. To my line of thought he reminds me a bit of Trent Croad early days. Incredible athlete with a flashy highlights reel who took a long while to develop into a bloody good and consistent player.
 
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TigerMad

All for one and one for all
Dec 18, 2002
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Balta is a burst player

Not sure where he fits in todays game of defensive running patterns.

If he is good for 5 minutes burst, can he be in the interchange rotation?
Has not got the tank to recover in 3 minutes rest on the bench.
Can you afford a player in the rotation who needs a seven? minute bench rest?
 

zippadeee

Tiger Legend
Oct 8, 2004
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Balta is a burst player

Not sure where he fits in todays game of defensive running patterns.

If he is good for 5 minutes burst, can he be in the interchange rotation?
Has not got the tank to recover in 3 minutes rest on the bench.
Can you afford a player in the rotation who needs a seven? minute bench rest?

He reminds me of Rene kink