A court has heard how “sheer luck” prevented a man from dying during an assault involving Richmond Tigers defender Noah Balta. The incident occurred in Mulwala, New South Wales, on December 30, with Balta, 25, pleading guilty to assault charges that left the 27-year-old victim injured.
During proceedings at Corowa Local Court, prosecutor Jason Tozer described the violent nature of the attack, wherein the victim was punched multiple times and thrown to the ground. Tozer warned that had the victim’s head impacted the concrete, the outcome could have been fatal. He highlighted that the victim was propelled “fully airborne” during the assault, emphasising the potential severity of the incident.
Balta pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison in New South Wales. While the defence acknowledged the serious nature of the offence, they contended that it aligns more with a mid-level assault rather than a high-level one, as argued by the prosecution.
In his defence, lawyer Belinda Franjic presented character references portraying Balta as “a kind, caring gentle giant,” asserting that the attack was completely out of character for him. Despite admitting to consuming a significant amount of alcohol prior to the incident and feeling threatened while witnessing a confrontation involving his younger brother, Balta expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Franjic stated that he has since engaged in professional help to address his behaviour.
Initially, Balta had informed police that he only struck the victim a few times, but this was later called into question by his barrister, acknowledging that the initial claim might not have been fully accurate. The prosecution was critical of the AFL’s decision to impose a four-match suspension on Balta, labelling the sanction as “minimal and irrelevant.” They urged the court to convey a strong message against violent conduct, regardless of the individual involved.
Sentencing for Balta has been scheduled for April 22. The incident has raised significant discussion about athlete conduct and the accountability that comes with public figures.