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.
Richmond coach Adem Yze said Balta’s selection would come down to his match fitness, with the Tigers due to name an extended squad on Thursday night.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas in Adelaide for Gather Round.Credit: AFL Photos
Balta’s former Richmond premiership teammate Jack Riewoldt was among the people calling for him to not return to senior football until his sentencing.
“What’s to be gained by playing him in the next two weeks?” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy last Saturday night.
“I don’t think they should play him – I don’t think it is smart.”
Jacinta Allan has made her thoughts clear on the Noah Balta situation.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon previously said the league was “comfortable” in allowing Balta to play before being sentenced in court.
“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,” Dillon told reporters recently, adding that the league wouldn’t step in before Balta’s sentencing.
“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,” Dillon said.
With AAP
