Richmond make call on Noah Balta after AFL premiership player’s assault charge
Richmond have opted against banishing Noah Balta from pre-season training following his assault charge last week, 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed.
The AFL premiership player handed himself into NSW Police following an alleged incident that led to another man being taken to hospital for a cut to his head.
Balta was charged and given conditional bail, to appear before Corowa Local Court on January 30 — right in the middle of the Tigers’ pre-season program.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Richmond had been waiting up whether to allow the premiership defender to return to Punt Road in the short term,” Cleary said on 7NEWS Melbourne.
“But he has been given the green light and will be with teammates when they’re back at training in the coming days.
“While he is permitted back the Tigers will work through any internal sanctions over the next 48 hours.”
The AFL integrity unit will undergo its own enquiries after the court proceedings to determine if Balta should be made available for Round 1 in March.
Richmond last week issued only a brief statement addressing the charge following Cleary’s exclusive report.
“The Richmond Football Club can confirm that AFL player Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an incident on the 30th December 2024,” the club said.
“As the matter is now before the courts the club can make no further comment.
“The club has made the AFL aware of the incident.”
The charge came less than three months after Balta signed a massive seven-year contract extension to stick with Richmond until the end of the 2032 season.
The swingman, who has played 104 career games including the 2020 premiership, is a crucial cog of the Tigers’ rebuild.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
