- Richmond Tigers star charged over alleged incident
- Noah Balta suspended for four games
- The hearing date will also follow in Corowa on January 30.
Richmond has banned senior player Noah Balta for the first four games of the 2025 AFL season after he was charged with assault.
Balta, 25, will also miss two preseason games, complete educational programming and receive counseling following the alleged incident in Mulwala, near Victoria/New South Wales border, December 30.
‘NORTHOah deeply regrets having been involved in the incident. “He has assisted NSW Police in their investigation and is eager to conclude the matter as soon as possible,” Richmond chief executive Shane Dunne said in a statement. club statement.
“While the outcome of the investigation and prosecution will be a matter for the police and the courts, both Noah and the club accept that the players cannot put themselves in these situations.
“After careful consideration, which included discussions with the player leadership group, we reached a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident while also helping Noah address this behavior.
“The club will continue to support him during this period and our collective hope and expectation is that we will see the best from Noah on and off the field from this point forward.”
Richmond Tigers leading AFL star Noah Balta (pictured second from right) has been suspended by his club for the first four games of the 2025 AFL season after he was charged with assault.
In his six-season career, Balta (pictured) has scored 37 goals for the Richmond Tigers.
Following the sanctions imposed by Richmond, the AFL said it “supported” Balta’s ban.
“Richmond has kept the AFL informed of the developments and supports the club’s response and sanction,” a statement read.
“The AFL will continue to monitor ongoing matters in the courts.”
On January 1, New South Wales Police confirmed that a man, aged 25, was charged with one count of assault following an alleged incident that resulted in another man being hospitalized.
“A 27-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a laceration to the 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 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 the premiership with the Tigers the following season.
The key defender also signed a monster seven-year contract extension with Richmond just a few months ago.
Locks him up as a Tiger until the end of the 2032 season.
Balta has scored 37 goals in six seasons with the Tigers.