Richmond Football Club’s key defender, Noah Balta, has pleaded guilty to assault following a late-night incident on December 30, 2024, at the Mulwala Water Ski Club near the New South Wales-Victoria border. The altercation resulted in a 27-year-old man sustaining a head laceration, requiring hospital treatment.
Balta, 25, voluntarily surrendered to authorities the following day and was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail and is set to appear before Corowa Local Court on January 30, 2025.
In response, Richmond Football Club has suspended Balta for the first four games of the 2025 AFL season. He will also miss both pre-season matches, undergo counseling, and take part in educational programs. Despite the suspension, he will be allowed to train with the team. Richmond CEO Shane Dunne emphasized the seriousness of the situation and stated that the club had carefully considered its response, including input from team leaders.
The AFL Integrity Unit is closely monitoring the case and may take further action depending on the outcome of Balta’s court proceedings.
This incident comes just months after Balta secured a lucrative seven-year contract extension with Richmond, locking him in until the end of 2032. A key player since his 2019 debut, he has played 104 games and was part of the club’s 2020 premiership-winning side.
With his court appearance looming, Balta’s future with Richmond and his reputation in the AFL community remain uncertain.
