MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Noah Balta of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 01 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Former AFL greats Tim Watson and Garry Lyon are excited by what they've seen from Tigers youngster Noah Balta.

Watson believes the sky is the limit for the 19-year old due to his combination of size and athleticism.

“There’s a lot of good young players at the moment, I saw another one at the MCG on the weekend, he’s not a first year player, Noah Balta, he’s only 19 years of age,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.

“Project to where he might end up in five years time, if he’s made of the right stuff and if he prepares himself and gets well coached and if he’s a thorough professional about wanting to improve himself, what might he be?

“He could be anything. He’s huge, he’s athletic, he can run, he can jump, he can find the ball, he’s a little bit untidy by foot, but he’ll get better there.

“I think Richmond has found something potentially really special there too.”

Lyon gave Balta the ultimate endorsement, comparing him to Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides.

“He’s got Anthony Koutoufides like athleticism,” Lyon declared.