Richmond AFL player Noah Balta is facing potential imprisonment following a court appearance regarding an assault incident. According to court reports from 9News, the 25-year-old was shown surveillance footage of him attacking 27-year-old Thomas Washbrook outside a venue in Mulwala at around 12:30am on December 30. The altercation resulted in Washbrook suffering a significant cut to his forehead, leading to Balta being charged by NSW Police the following day.
Balta is scheduled for sentencing on April 22 after pleading guilty to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. In light of the incident, he has been suspended for Richmond’s first four matches of the AFL season. Reports indicate that Balta might return to play in rounds five and six, pending the outcome of his sentencing.
The Richmond Football Club has opted not to make any public statements regarding the matter until after Balta’s sentencing has occurred.