Footy club make decision on premiership winner who was charged with assault following a late-night brawl – as AFL open investigation
- Noah Balta was charged with assault after a fight on December 30
- The Richmond star is said to have turned himself in to the police
- One person was hospitalized following the alleged altercation in Mulwala
Richmond Tigers have reportedly opted not to ban Noah Balta from pre-season training after he was charged over an alleged altercation.
The incident occurred on Monday, December 30, with police called after midnight to a sports club in Mulwala, on the Victoria-New South Wales border.
NSW Police confirmed a man aged 25 had been charged with assault over an alleged incident.
One man reportedly suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital.
Balta reportedly reported to police the next day and was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
While he is due to appear in the Corowa Local Court at the end of this month, 7News reporter Mitch Cleary says the Tigers will not ban him from the club.
Richmond has yet to make a decision on whether to rule Noah Balta out of pre-season play
Balta is said to have been charged with assault following an alleged incident in Mulwala
“Richmond had been waiting to see if he would allow the premiership defender to return to Punt Road at short notice,” Cleary said on 7NEWS Melbourne.
‘But he has been given the green light and will be with his teammates in the coming days when they return to training.
“As long as he is allowed back, the Tigers will work through any internal sanctions over the next 48 hours.”
According to The Daily Telegraph, the AFL’s integrity unit is opening an investigation into the matter.
The Tigers will also train again on Thursday after the Christmas holidays.
The AFL’s Integrity Unit typically investigates off-field incidents involving players, having notably conducted an investigation into GWS Giants’ recent ‘Mad Wednesday’ party skit and fancy dress costumes.
At the time the incident took place, Balta was in Mulwala with his family getting ready to celebrate the New Year.
The defenseman joined the Tigers as the 25th pick in the 2017 National Draft.
Balta has made 104 appearances for the Tigers since joining the club at the 2017 AFL Draft
Since then he has made 104 appearances for the Victorian club, winning the 2020 grand final with the Tigers.
The news comes after the Tigers rewarded him with a new contract that would keep him at the club until the end of the 2032 season.
In a statement released last week, the club said it “can confirm that AFL player Noah Balta has been charged with assault following an incident on December 30, 2024.”
‘As the matter is now before the courts, the club cannot comment further.
“The club has notified the AFL of the incident.”