Noah Balta, the Richmond defender, has been handed a significant penalty that will impact his playing schedule for the upcoming months. On April 22, 2025, Balta was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order, following his guilty plea to an assault charge stemming from an incident on December 30, 2024. This ruling comes after Balta assaulted a man, Thomas Washbrook, outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club, an incident that left the victim hospitalized with serious injuries.
At the Albury Local Court, Magistrate Melissa Humphreys ordered Balta to adhere to a strict curfew that prohibits him from leaving his home between 10 PM and 6 AM for the next three months. This curfew effectively rules him out of participating in key night matches for Richmond, including the highly anticipated ANZAC Eve clash against Melbourne on April 24 and the Dreamtime at the ‘G match against Essendon on May 23.
In addition to the curfew, Balta was fined $3,000 and ordered to abstain from alcohol during the duration of his community corrections order. The court also noted that Balta had settled a civil case with the victim, paying him $45,000 in damages. The incident occurred after Balta had been on a pub crawl in the lead-up to the assault, which contributed to the severity of the situation.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Jason Tozer highlighted the gravity of the assault, stating that “sheer luck” had saved Washbrook from potentially fatal injuries. CCTV footage presented in court showed Balta taking the victim to the ground and punching him multiple times, resulting in a three-centimeter cut to Washbrook’s forehead, along with other injuries including lumps to the head and a broken rib.
Balta’s defense attorney, Belinda Franjic, acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but argued that it was out of character for the 25-year-old footballer, describing him as a “kind, caring gentle giant.” Character references were submitted to the court, emphasizing Balta’s generally positive demeanor and the fact that the assault was not indicative of his usual behavior.
Despite these mitigating factors, Magistrate Humphreys emphasized the need for accountability, stating that Balta’s actions were “unprovoked” and constituted a serious offense. The court deemed the assault to be at the mid-range of seriousness, justifying the imposed penalties.
As a result of the court’s decision, Balta will miss several critical fixtures for Richmond. In addition to the two night games, he is also barred from participating in an interstate match against GWS on May 31, further complicating his return to the field. Richmond has a busy schedule ahead, with daytime fixtures against Hawthorn, West Coast, North Melbourne, and Sydney, which Balta will be eligible to play in.
Balta had already faced a four-match suspension at the start of the season, which he served prior to returning to the field last weekend in Richmond’s victory over Gold Coast. His return to play was met with controversy, as many questioned the decision to allow him to compete before his sentencing was finalized.
Richmond’s management and the AFL have yet to comment on the implications of Balta’s sentencing on the club’s culture and policies regarding player conduct. Former Richmond player Jack Riewoldt expressed his concerns, stating that while he was pleased Balta performed well, he believed it was inappropriate for him to play given the circumstances surrounding his case.
Two-time premiership player David King also weighed in on the situation, highlighting the cultural implications of allowing Balta to return to play prior to his sentencing. “This is the exact conversation — Richmond has put four points before the cultural discussion we have every three weeks about football clubs; the standards you walk by and standards you accept,” King remarked. “They have put this victory before that.”
As the situation continues to unfold, Balta’s future on the field remains uncertain. The imposed curfew and penalties will undoubtedly challenge his ability to contribute to the team during a crucial part of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Richmond navigates this complex situation and what it means for the club’s integrity moving forward.
With Balta now under a community corrections order, the expectation is that he will comply fully with the court’s directives. His commitment to rehabilitation, including completing an anger management course and working closely with the Richmond Football Club to address the fallout from his actions, will be critical in shaping his future both on and off the field.
