Tigers support Noah Balta as sentencing looms
Shayne Hope |
Richmond will support Noah Balta through “a bit of anxiety” as the premiership defender faces sentencing for assault following his controversial AFL return.
After serving a four-match suspension, Balta was a key contributor in the Tigers’ shock 11-point win over previously unbeaten Gold Coast on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old, who fronts court on Tuesday, faces a nervous wait after pleading guilty to assault outside a NSW Riverina ski club on December 30 last year.
His charge carries a maximum five-year jail term.
“He’ll go through that process next week and he’s handled it by training hard,” Richmond coach Adem Yze said.
“He’s put his head down and bum up for the last three months and it’s a credit to him.
“He’ll go through that process and we’ll support him through it.
“There’ll be a bit of anxiety around it and we’ll obviously need to look after him this week because there’s a bit to that.
“But as we’ve done as a footy club all along, we’ve worked with the AFL, we’ll go through the process on Tuesday and just support him as best we can.”
Balta held Gold Coast spearhead Ben King to one goal from two kicks and took four contested marks, as well as 10 intercept possessions, in his comeback match.
He found another ally in Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick, who took a swipe at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan over her commentary on Balta.
Allan said the defender should not be allowed to play again until the courts handed down their punishment for the “sickening attack” in which he punched a man multiple times.
Allan also called on the AFL and Richmond to explain their decision to let Balta play.
“We’ve got a premier that put her nose in somebody else’s business – she should just concentrate on getting the state running well,” Hardwick said.
“It’s an absolute mockery, her making comments with regard to that.
“At the end of the day, he’s pled guilty. He understands that he’s going to cop his fair whack.”
Richmond great Jack Riewoldt has been among the critics of his former club’s handling of Balta.
Riewoldt said on Fox Footy the Tigers’ decision to select his ex-teammate while court proceedings are ongoing didn’t sit well with him or pass the public “sniff test”.
Speaking before Saturday night’s match, Riewoldt said there was “no way” Balta should be playing.
Richmond next face Melbourne on Thursday night at the MCG.
AAP
