Footy greats tell Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to put a sock in it after she waded into the AFL’s crime controversy
AFL greats David King and Dane Swan have shut down Victorian premier Jacinta Allan for her recent remarks about Richmond player Noah Balta who is awaiting sentencing for an assault charge.
The 25-year-old footy star pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he attacked a 27-year-old man outside the Mulawala Water Ski Club NSW in December 2024.
He is now due to be sentenced on April 22 and could face jail time. The maximum penalty for the offence carries a sanction of five years in jail.
Despite completing a suspension, Balta’s return to the footy field in the VFL over the weekend has sparked heated debate, with Allan urging the AFL to explain why he was allowed back.
King has suggested that the premier ‘read the room’ given her state is dealing with a surge in crime.
‘I’ve never seen as many machete-carrying, weapon-bearing people out on bail just attacking us left right and centre,’ King said on SEN.
Footy greats David King and Dane Swan hit out at Victorian premier Jacinta Allan for her recent remarks about Richmond player Noah Balta (pictured)
Jacinta Allan (pictured) has blasted the AFL and Richmond’s stance on allowing Noah Balta to return to play
‘We’ve got half the state getting broken into at the moment.
‘And she’s decided to pick on the Noah Balta situation. I think she’s got more on her hands. Control the controllables … I just think that’s bizarre.
‘What the hell are you doing raring your head up on this?
‘I can’t believe it. She makes a good point on the Noah Balta stuff but gee whiz, Jacinta, read the room.’
Swan echoed King’s remarks with a post on social media.
‘Isn’t he being charged in NSW? The f..k that’s got to do with her? I’d be suggesting she worries about all the crime that’s going on in her own state first.’
Balta, who played a VFL game on the weekend, accepted a four-match ban from Richmond and the AFL for the alleged incident.
The 25-year-old premiership winner is alleged to have punched victim Thomas Washbrook multiple times in the head.
David King said the premier should be concentrating on the crime crisis in Victoria
Dane Swan also suggested the premier focus on the crime in Victoria
The Corowa Local Court was also shown CCTV footage of the alleged aggression that appears to show Balta shoving Washbrook to the floor.
Prosecutors told the court that: ‘It is only sheer luck that his [Washbrook’s] head did not make contact with the concrete.’
His defence told the court that the alleged act was ‘completely and utterly out of character’ for the Richmond player.
Following the expiration of his suspension from football, Dillon said the league would not stand in the way of his return to the pitch.
‘We have worked with Richmond and we’re comfortable with the suspension and the suspension that Noah has served… we’re comfortable with where Richmond landed on that one.’
He added: ‘By the time Noah is eligible to play again he would have served a four-week AFL suspension as well as missing a couple of weeks of practice matches.
‘Ultimately it will be a decision from Richmond, whether they select him straight into the AFL or into the VFL side.’
