Noah Balta will not participate in this weekend’s match as he awaits sentencing for assault charges. The 25-year-old Richmond player has yet to make an appearance this season and is scheduled to appear in court next week after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which may result in a possible jail sentence.
Despite initial speculation that he could play against Fremantle during the Gather Round, the club decided against his participation. According to reports from 9News Melbourne’s Tom Morris, Richmond officials opted for caution, considering Balta’s conditioning and his lack of match play this season. Originally, there was a plan for him to play in the VFL, but with there being no VFL fixtures this weekend, the Tigers have chosen to exclude him from the lineup.
It remains uncertain if Balta will return to the field next week or if he will be available for the Anzac Day eve match, which falls just two days post-sentencing. Since making his debut in 2018, Balta has accumulated over 100 games with Richmond and is regarded as a key player for the team.
In related news, Richmond’s teenage forward Jonty Faull is set to make his debut against the Dockers after being selected with the No.14 pick in the previous year’s draft.