AFL club hands down punishment to Noah Balta as he faces serious charges after allegedly bashing a man outside a pub
- Richmond Tigers star charged over alleged incident
- Noah Balta was given a four-match suspension
- The court hearing will also follow in Corowa on January 30
Richmond has banned premiership player Noah Balta for the first four matches of the 2025 AFL season after he was accused of assault.
Balta, 25, will also miss two preseason games, complete educational programming and receive counseling following the alleged incident at Mulwala, near the Victoria/N.S.W border, on December 30.
‘Noah deeply regrets his involvement in the incident. He has been assisting NSW Police in their investigation and he wants the matter concluded as quickly as possible,” Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said in a statement. club statement.
“While the outcome of the investigation and charges will be a matter for the police and the courts, both Noah and the club accept that players cannot put themselves in these situations.
‘After careful consideration – including discussions with the player leadership group – we have come to a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident while helping Noah address this behaviour.
“The club will continue to support him throughout this period and our collective hope and expectation is that from this point on we will see the best of Noah on and off the pitch.”
Richmond Tigers AFL premiership star Noah Balta (pictured, second from right) has been suspended by his club for the first four matches of the 2025 AFL season after being accused of assault
In his six-season career, Balta (pictured) scored 37 goals for the Richmond Tigers
Following Richmond’s sanctions, the AFL said they ‘supported’ Balta’s ban.
“The AFL has been kept informed of developments by Richmond and supports the club’s response and sanction,” a statement said.
“The AFL will continue to monitor ongoing cases in court.”
On January 1, NSW Police confirmed a man, 25, was charged with one count of assault following an alleged incident that led to another man being hospitalized.
“A 27-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a laceration to his head and taken to Yarrawonga Hospital in a stable condition,” a police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
Balta reported to Mulwala police on December 31, where he was arrested and charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was released on bail to appear at the Corowa Local Court on January 30.
Balta was in Mulwala preparing to celebrate the New Year with family and friends. 7News reported.
Balta has played 104 AFL games since his debut in 2019 and won a premiership with the Tigers the following season.
The key defender also signed a monstrous seven-year contract extension with Richmond a few months ago.
It keeps him as a Tiger until the end of the 2032 season.
Balta scored 37 goals for the Tigers in six seasons.