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Noah Balta
- Thread starter RICHO_12
- Start date
Complete and utter farce from the Judge, who obviously hadn't bothered to do their homework regarding the case.
Court room open n staff in attendance.
Judge in the chair presiding.
Prosecutors there n all set to go.
Victim n legals, or at the least just the legals there.
Defendant there with his legal team n the guilty plea has already been submitted.
All character references and proofs of defendant contrition and behavioural courses submitted.
All the work is already done except for the Judge can't be *smile* getting off their arse n passing sentence.
Massive waste of time n resources for all involved except for one entitled lazy arse prick.
If he is up to it and the club thinks he's up to it, I see no reason why he shouldn't play. He hasn't been sacked yet and presumably won't be unless he gets jail time which I would suggest is unlikely. Although hopefully Noah hasn't hired the same lawyers we seem to trot out at our tribunal appeals...
I'd be more comfortable playing him in the twos until sentancing, equally comfortable leaving him out, as its only a few more weeks now.
Whatever the case, from a PR perspective I'd like to see personal contrition from Noah, acknowledging and showing his understandings of the courses he's taken publically before returning.
Perhaps a club video or if he's up to it a press conference, maybe bring in Cotch to do it with him, if he would, as he's excellent in this space. Club and player need to own these behaviours and show leadership by demonstrating he's actually learnt from this before returning.
I was in the judge him not camp until seeing the footage of the incident. It's in the court of public opinion now as much as the hands of the magistrate.
A sad distraction to the positive narrative of the year so far.
Whatever the case, from a PR perspective I'd like to see personal contrition from Noah, acknowledging and showing his understandings of the courses he's taken publically before returning.
Perhaps a club video or if he's up to it a press conference, maybe bring in Cotch to do it with him, if he would, as he's excellent in this space. Club and player need to own these behaviours and show leadership by demonstrating he's actually learnt from this before returning.
I was in the judge him not camp until seeing the footage of the incident. It's in the court of public opinion now as much as the hands of the magistrate.
A sad distraction to the positive narrative of the year so far.
Bit surprised we wouldn’t play him in the VFL to find some touch & match fitness first but I’m happy to trust the club on this one. They’d have the best idea where he is at physically & mentally. Hope he plays well.
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I agree with the VFL idea, shame that due to Gather Round there’s no VFL matches scheduled. It would have to wait for next week, which if everything worked out would have Noah ready to return on ANZAC Eve.
Funny how things change in this "new" world we live in. Complying to the court's directions whilst the law takes time to consider the sentence is not enough for an elite athlete to play in his/her chosen sport. We have to save face and be seen as a responsible entity in our society. To me that is bulldust!
It wasn't that long ago, a certain ruckman from Carlton was sentence to gaol in Pentridge but was allowed out on weekends to play for the blues.
Let's abide by the law. Let the law be the law and let footy be footy FFS.
It wasn't that long ago, a certain ruckman from Carlton was sentence to gaol in Pentridge but was allowed out on weekends to play for the blues.
Let's abide by the law. Let the law be the law and let footy be footy FFS.
It’s complicated. I would agree that once he’s served his sentence he deserves a second chance- but right now he’s guilty of assault. We have a club full of young blokes who need to understand what’s acceptable, and a supporter base that’s rightly proud of the progress we’ve lead on a number of fronts. I’m not too keen on compromising all that, but as always trust the club to make the right decision with all the facts at hand.
Dane Swan had an assault conviction as I recall. Not sure he even served an afl or club suspension, although it was quite a while ago.
If you go back a long way there was a certain Carlton player who had day release from jail to play.
If you go back a long way there was a certain Carlton player who had day release from jail to play.
Committed fraud whilst a bank teller. From Maryborough & I think made Team of Century 1900/1999.
He actually hasnt been found guilty of anything @ this stage.
No doubt it happened but being found guilty is another matter
Look we pay Balta to play football not be nursed through his moment of madness. Lots of blokes in same position as him just turn up for work next day & sweat it out. Time for RFC to toughen up. Surprised at the number of sooky comments but I suppose that is the new era these days. Some one posted sack him. What next week he would be playing for who pays him the highest dollar.
Yep, very different
When pleading guilty, the accused admits to the offence and doesn't dispute the charges. There's no trial, just a sentencing hearing.
Being found guilty can only happen when the accused pleads not guilty, and the case goes to trial.
Balta pleaded guilty - ie he admitted he did it, no disputing the charges, no trial necessary.
Hutstar, what you wrote is more about social acceptance than the law. At this point in time Noah is inside the law. He's not thumbing his nose at the law and from all reports is extremely apologetic. The law is ok with this whilst it decides his sentence. As is the AFL.
As for the young blokes and setting an example - wow, that's drawing a long straw. In truth, the Richmond Football Club has won Premierships on tough play, legal or otherwise, I was there in then Southern Stand in 1973 when we belted Carlton off the park.
AFL is a tough game and the quicker our kids learn the speed of it and the toughness required, the quicker we will climb the ladder.
Taking the toughness off the park and onto the street is wrong - teach that to the kids so they can have a spine on the ground but be gentle giants off it. Noah is learning that the hard way.
Lastly, I'm not against Woke, as I believe it has a proud place in our society, but I am against football administrators being mamby pamby.
Club gave him a 6 game suspension (2 games from the pre-season).
He has served that now.
Not sure why we need to now debate on whether they play him.
The only question is if his is fit to play.
I would be disappointed with the club if they bend to media pressure and go against this.
He has served that now.
Not sure why we need to now debate on whether they play him.
The only question is if his is fit to play.
I would be disappointed with the club if they bend to media pressure and go against this.
And if there is going to media 'controversy' around his first game back-it will happen no matter when he returs. Just bite the bullet andplay him.