Richmond premiership defender Noah Balta will not be able to play evening AFL matches up until July 22nd after he was handed his punishment for his assault charge.
Balta fronted the Corowa Local Court on Tuesday to receive his penalty after pleading guilty to assault outside a NSW Riverina club on 30 December last year.
The 25-year-old has been sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and to pay a $3,000 fine.
It is understood that he will pay the victim $45,000 and abstain from alcohol.
Balta is also under curfew from 10pm-6am up until July 22nd, meaning he won't feature in evening games.
Richmond player Noah Balta has been spared jail after he assaulted a man at a pub in Mulwala. He was sentenced to a CCO which includes a night curfew for 3 months. His lawyer raised concerns about his playing schedule but the magistrate said too bad. @9NewsMelb @footyonnine pic.twitter.com/UHLi8whlI6
— Amber Johnston (@amberjohnston_9) April 22, 2025
At this stage, the Tigers will miss the defender for the Anzac Day Eve clash against Melbourne and the Round 11 Dreamtime at the G clash against Essendon due to the court-imposed curfew.
Balta is also expected to miss clashes against GWS (Round 12) and West Coast (Round 19) given the game is interstate and he wouldn't be able to return home by 10pm.
The Round 17 clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium is one to watch, but given the floating fixture from Rounds 16 onwards, the time and date have yet to be revealed.
Games from Round 16 will also be in question, but will depend on start times.
The Tigers and Balta both released statements following the charges, announcing they would not contest the result despite it impacting when Balta can play.
“Noah has been held accountable for his actions and has paid a significant price as he should,” Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said.
“This Club does not condone violence in any form, and it is why we took such a strong and immediate stand when this incident came to light.
“Noah has worked hard to improve himself in the months following the incident, undertaking education and counselling. That work will continue.
“With the judicial process now concluded, it remains our collective expectation that Noah learns from this, and we see the best version of him going forward.”
Balta reiterated his remorse for the incident.
“I apologise to the victim, my family and friends, and everyone associated with the Richmond Football Club,” Balta said.
“I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer.
“I will continue to work to improve myself to ensure this never happens again.”
Balta faced a maximum sentence of five years in jail.
Balta returned to play on the weekend against Gold Coast after serving his four-match suspension handed down by the club and AFL.
He spent an extra week on the sidelines following the uplifting of the ban, taking place in the VFL side before coach Adem Yze recalled him.
Richmond's games between now and July 22nd
R7 v Melbourne at the MCG, 7.30pm (Balta will miss)
R8 v Hawthorn at the MCG, 3.20pm
R9 v West Coast at the MCG, 1.10pm
R10 v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.10pm
R11 v Essendon at the MCG, 7.40pm (Balta will miss)
R12 v Greater Western Sydney at Engie Stadium, 4.15pm (Balta will miss)
R13 v Sydney at the MCG, 1.20pm
R15 v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 3.20pm
R16 v Adelaide at the MCG, date and time TBC
R17 v Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, date and time TBC
R18 v Essendon at the MCG, date and time TBC
R19 v West Coast at Optus Stadium, date and time TBC (Balta will miss)
