Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says Richmond’s Noah Balta should not be allowed to play as he awaits sentencing for what she called a “sickening attack” on a man in Mulwala in December.
Balta, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club, and he is due to be sentenced on April 22. He could yet face jail time.
Allan made her view clear when asked if she thought it was appropriate Balta was allowed to return to play before his sentencing.
“How do we explain to kids, particularly, how do we answer that question? How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question, about what’s going on here?” Allan said on Thursday.
“What sort of message does this send to kids about what’s right and what’s wrong? I think that’s really a question for the AFL and Richmond need to answer.
“What a sickening, what a sickening attack that was. And again, let’s remember the victim here and who would be, no doubt, deeply traumatised by this experience.”
Noah Balta at Richmond training earlier this year.Credit: Justin McManus
Balta was suspended for the first four games of this season (plus two pre-season matches) and is eligible to return for Gather Round against Fremantle on Sunday.
The AFL said Balta’s selection was up to Richmond. But both the Tigers and league headquarters have faced community backlash for their stance.
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