- Noah Balta was charged with assault after a fight on December 30
- The Richmond star is understood to have reported to the police.
- One person was hospitalized after the alleged altercation in Mulwala
The Richmond Tigers have reportedly opted not to ban Noah Balta from preseason training after he was charged over an alleged altercation.
The incident took place on Monday, December 30, when police were called to a sports club in Mulwala, on the Victoria-New South Wales border, after midnight.
NSW Police confirmed a man, aged 25, had been charged with one count of assault over an alleged incident.
One man was said to have suffered lacerations to his head and was taken to hospital.
Balta is believed to have presented himself to police the following day and was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
While he is due to appear in Corowa Local Court at the end of the month, 7News reporter Mitch Cleary says the Tigers are not going to ban him from the club.
Richmond is yet to make a decision on whether Noah Balta should be banned from pre-season training.
It is understood that Balta has been charged with assault following an alleged incident in Mulwala.
“Richmond had been waiting to see if he would allow the prime minister’s defender to return to Punt Road any time soon,” Cleary said on 7NEWS Melbourne.
“But he has been given the green light and will be with his teammates when they return to training in the coming days.
“Even if he is allowed to return, 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 return to practice Thursday after the Christmas break.
The AFL Integrity Unit generally investigates off-field incidents involving players, having notably carried out an investigation into the GWS Giants’ recent “Wacky Wednesday” party and costume skits.
At the time the incident occurred, Balta was in Mulwala with her family, preparing to celebrate the New Year.
The defender joined the Tigers as the 25th pick in the 2017 National Draft.
Balta has played 104 games for the Tigers since joining the club during the 2017 AFL Draft.
Since then, he has played 104 games for the Victorian club and won the 2020 Grand Final with the Tigers.
The news comes after the Tigers rewarded him with a new contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2032 season.
In a statement issued last week, the club said it “can confirm that AFL player Noah Balta has been charged with assault following an incident that occurred on December 30, 2024.”
“As the matter is now before the courts, the club cannot comment further.
“The club has informed the AFL of the incident.”