Noah Balta

[frickenel]

Doesn’t sound like it’s the first time this poor bugger has been belted…

Judging by a social media post he put up, he pretty much gets belted every weekend. One can only wonder why!
In the video, he is having words with the guy in front of him, and is just in the process of pushing him when Balta comes through like the Polar Express.

 

[bugsy]

Watch them all come attacking him as a criminal now.

Yep. The usual loudmouths will be front and centre once again. It’s as though they never made errors of judgement or associated with dodgy types in their life.

 

[tigertim]

AFL going soft on Richmond! Lift Dillon, lift!

‘DECISION FOR TIGERS’: AFL WON’T STOP BALTA RETURN

Simeon Thomas-Wilson
The AFL won’t stop Richmond’s Noah Balta from returning to play before he is sentenced for assaulting a man outside a NSW Riverina club.

Balta’s four-match AFL suspension finishes after the Tigers play the Brisbane Lions this weekend.

He will be sentenced in Albury Local Court on April 22 for the attack on a 27-year-old man at the Mulwala Water Ski Club, having pleaded guilty to the assault.

He is free to play in the Tigers’ round 5 Gather Round clash against Fremantle in the Barossa Valley and Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium the following week before his sentencing.

There have been calls for the AFL to step in and ensure that Balta doesn’t play before he is sentenced.

But AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said it was a matter for Richmond and he was comfortable with the matter.

“By the time Noah is eligible to play again he would have served a four-week AFL suspension as well as missing a couple of weeks of practice matches,” Dillion said.

“Ultimately it will be a decision for Richmond, whether they select him straight in the AFL or the VFL side.

“No (we won’t step in), we have worked with Richmond and we are comfortable with the suspension Noah has served.”

Balta’s victim, Thomas Washbrook, last month reached a confidential settlement with the Tigers footballer over the civil case after having to take time off his work as a result of his injuries.

The settlement was reached after Balta was sued for pain and suffering as well as medical expenses. Balta’s remorse and guilty plea is understood to have played a part in his victim’s willingness to settle the civil suit.

Footage released in court on Thursday showed Balta shoving the man and punching him.

Dillon said he had seen the footage and he was comfortable with the suspension.

“It was worked through with Richmond; we are comfortable where that has landed,” he said.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Why am I not excited about the prospect of him returning?

 

[spook]

Why am I not excited about the prospect of him returning?

Because you're a misery guts!

What will be interesting is the position he plays upon return.

*Leave it out, spook! Balta's best position is in the backline!*

Incorrect.

*Don't you dare say he's better as a forward!*

Everyone's better as a defender. Alastair Lynch and David Neitz were better defenders than they were forward. Who plays forward? Those who can.

But no. Forward is not Noah's best position either. It's ruck.

If we're playing Blight as forward/relief ruck now, why wouldn't we do that with Balta when he returns? Especially if we're backing in Miller and anticipating Gibcus at some stage?

 

[Tigers of Old]

Oh so he’s a ruck now not a forward?

 

[123cups]

I'm expecting us to let him gain fitness in the VFL for maybe two weeks

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

I'm expecting us to let him gain fitness in the VFL for maybe two weeks

I hope we don't rush him back.

 

[spook]

Oh so he’s a ruck now not a forward?

He's a footballer, and as such should be deployed where it best suits the team.

 

[Tigers of Old]

He's a footballer, and as such should be deployed where it best suits the team.

Is he behind Samson for the ruck or not?

 

[spook]

Is he behind Samson for the ruck or not?

He's ahead of Samson for forward/second ruck, and behind Samson as first ruck sans Nank. In a couple of years or if and when Nank needs a rest, maybe we play both, in those respective roles.

 

[Merveille]

Yze loves him will be straight onto the 1’s

 

[Brodders17]

He's a footballer, and as such should be deployed where it best suits the team.

He is a good to very good defender. he is an ordinary forward. maybe he is a fantastic 2nd ruck, but that is a position he will get to play for about 15-20 mins per game, if he plays forward.

Play him BACK!

 

[spook]

He is a good to very good defender. he is an ordinary forward. maybe he is a fantastic 2nd ruck, but that is a position he will get to play for about 15-20 mins per game, if he plays forward.

Play him BACK!

He is an inexperienced forward who has excelled there at times.

 

[Scoop]

Why am I not excited about the prospect of him returning?

It's the same for me. Aas someone who has had close friends severely impacted by thugs and king hits I'm neutral on Balta's return.

Nothing tough about it or being "a misery guts" because your conflicted.

Everyone can choose their response.

 

[The_General]

Because you're a misery guts!

What will be interesting is the position he plays upon return.

*Leave it out, spook! Balta's best position is in the backline!*

Incorrect.

*Don't you dare say he's better as a forward!*

Everyone's better as a defender. Alastair Lynch and David Neitz were better defenders than they were forward. Who plays forward? Those who can.

But no. Forward is not Noah's best position either. It's ruck.

If we're playing Blight as forward/relief ruck now, why wouldn't we do that with Balta when he returns? Especially if we're backing in Miller and anticipating Gibcus at some stage?

My backline would be Balta CHB, Miller FB, Gibcus when available as a third tall who should be out intercepting etc.
Alternatively if his body holds up, Miller FB and Gibcus CHB.
I'd then trade Balta if we can.
Longer term, Taps and Sims might be our Ruck / resting forward and alternate. Ryan can take the hits until they're physically more ready.

 

[Brodders17]

He is an inexperienced forward who has excelled there at times.

Maybe. I think excelled in stretching it.
I was excited by the idea of Balta as a forward/ruck- in theory it is a perfect role for him.
But I havent been as excited by the reality.

Maybe as you say he just needs more experience in the role, but i worry we are losing a potential AA full back in the process.

 

[Brodders17]

My backline would be Balta CHB, Miller FB, Gibcus when available as a third tall who should be out intercepting etc.
Alternatively if his body holds up, Miller FB and Gibcus CHB.
I'd then trade Balta if we can.
Longer term, Taps and Sims might be our Ruck / resting forward and alternate. Ryan can take the hits until they're physically more ready.

I doubt we would be looking to trade him when we could have let him walk as a FA and probably got pick 2 for him.

 

[The_General]

I doubt we would be looking to trade him when we could have let him walk as a FA and probably got pick 2 for him.

We signed him before the draft, so wouldn't have known our outcome.

But a first round pick and Balta for Harley Reid....Might offset the loss of their Captain when he walks to the Hawks.

 

[spook]

It's the same for me. Aas someone who has had close friends severely impacted by thugs and king hits I'm neutral on Balta's return.

Nothing tough about it or being "a misery guts" because your conflicted.

Everyone can choose their response.

Oldie being a misery guts has nothing to do with Balta. He's just drawn that way. The comment was purely me poking fun at Oldie's tendency to pessimism.

Maybe. I think excelled in stretching it.
I was excited by the idea of Balta as a forward/ruck- in theory it is a perfect role for him.
But I havent been as excited by the reality.

Maybe as you say he just needs more experience in the role, but i worry we are losing a potential AA full back in the process.

Opening round last year he was high up in most posters' votes, although mainly for his work in the ruck.
R1 v Carlton: 23 disposals, 9 marks (3 contested), 3 goals, 613 metres gained, 6 score involvements, 3 F50 ground ball gets - most for the team - these are gold. AFL Player Rating 18.1 - equal highest on team. Almost universal BOG votes from posters. Even Scoop posted that he was converted to Balta as forward.

He was quieter in the next couple of games but his mere presence forward in the Sydney game made life easier for Lynch and Lefau. Then he hurt his knee and when he came back Yeezy lost his nerve and plugged the defensive hole with him.