Noah Balta returned to the AFL field despite a lingering court sentence for his physical assault charge from the off-season.
Sentencing set for Tuesday, calls from former players and followers of the game suggested Balta be sidelined until after he hears his punishment, which is suspected to be community service, although his behaviour does hold a maximum five-year jail penalty.
After serving his club-imposed four-week suspension, the Tigers premiership defender was available for selection last week, but was given four quarters in the VFL to "earn the respect back" from his teammates, club and AFL world.
On Saturday night, he returned against Gold Coast, who ironically is coached by someone very close to him.
Balta played a crucial role in curbing Coleman medal fancy Ben King to four disposals and one goal.
While his former coach, Damien Hardwick, who attempted to refrain from speaking at length about the saga, took aim at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, deeming her involvement last week as an "absolute mockery".
"We've got a premier who put her nose in someone else's business," Hardwick said.
"She should just concentrate on getting the state running well. Absolute mockery her making comments with regard to that.
"He's pled guilty, he understands that. He's going to cop his fair whack. Speaking to him, disappointed in his actions, support the individual, he'll get better as a result of it."
Richmond coach Adem Yze was impressed with his performance, but understood there was expected "anxiety" to come from Tuesday's sentencing.
"He'll go through that process next week," Yze said.
"He's handled it by training hard. He's put his head down, bum up for the last three months, and it's a credit to him.
"Noah's performance today was outstanding, and it's a credit to him. We're really proud of him.
"We'll support him through it, there'll be a bit of anxiety around it, and we'll obviously need to look after him this week because there's a bit to that.
"But as we've done as a footy club all along, we work with the AFL, we'll go through the process on Tuesday and just support him as best as we can."
