Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issues please explain to AFL, Richmond over Noah Balta

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has expressed alarm over the possibility Noah Balta may take the field this weekend, saying both the AFL and Richmond need to explain themselves.

Premier Jacinta Allan has hit the AFL and Richmond Football Club with a please explain over their decision to consider allowing Noah Balta play football this weekend.

The 25-year-old footballer has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club and will be sentenced on April 22.

His club suspension, which was handed down in January, meant he was sidelined for the first four games of the season.

But he is now eligible to play for Richmond before learning his fate at the Corowa Local Court.

The club will announce its team on Thursday evening for its clash against Fremantle on Sunday.

Premier Jacinta Allan has taken aim at the AFL and Richmond over Noah Balta. Picture: David Crosling

Noah Balta is eligible for selection for Richmond’s clash against Freemantle. Picture: Michael Klein

On Thursday, Ms Allan called on the league and Richmond to explain to Australians how it was appropriate Balta was eligible for selection.

“Having looked at the footage ... what a sickening attack that was,” she said.

“Like many Victorians ... I’ll be sitting down with the kids, they’ll be watching Hawthorn, I’ll be looking at Essendon’s results. Either way, when we sit down (and watch the footy) 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? What sort of message does this send to kids about what’s right and what’s wrong?

“I think that’s really a question that the AFL and Richmond need to answer.”

Balta has admitted to assaulting Thomas Washbrook outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club. Picture: Supplied

Ms Allan said her thoughts were with the victim of the brutal assault.

“Let’s remember the victim here who would no doubt be deeply traumatised by this experience,” she added.

It comes as the mum of a deadly one punch victim slammed the decision to let Balta take to the field.

Caterina Politi, who set up STOP. One Punch Can Kill after her son David Cassai died from a coward punch in 2012, said the game was sending the wrong message to the community.

Caterina Politi says the AFL is sending the wrong message to the community. Picture: Jason Edwards

And Matt Cronin – father of Pat Cronin who was killed after he was punched in the head from behind outside a pub in 2016 – also lashed Richmond.

“I’m really disappointed as a Richmond supporter. I sit in a Richmond members area, and I sit next to other Tigers supporters and Round 1 came around this year and we were talking about who was out, someone said ‘Balta’s out’, and I said ‘well I hope he never comes back’,” he told the Herald Sun this week.

Richmond Football Club refused to respond to Ms Allan’s comments on Thursday.

But a club spokesman pointed to Mr Balta having completed education courses as well as counselling over the past three months.

He said Balta had served his six-game suspension and that his selection “would be a matter for the match committee”.

Originally published as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issues please explain to AFL, Richmond over Noah Balta