Noah Balta’s importance to Richmond singled out by coach Adem Yze ahead of return after court-imposed curfew

There’s no doubt what Richmond coach Adem Yze thinks of star defender Noah Balta, whose standing has not been diminished despite a heavy court sentence.

Richmond coach Adem Yze hailed the leadership value Noah Balta can deliver for the Tigers as he confirmed a return for the star defender who missed last week due to a court-imposed curfew.

Balta will be forced to watch Richmond’s night and interstate games until the end of July as part of his sentence for assaulting a man in regional NSW on December 30 last year.

He missed last Thursday’s Anzac Day eve loss to Melbourne and didn’t play in the VFL, rested due to the toll the week’s events had taken.

But the 25-year-old premiership defender will walk straight back into the side for Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn in a “good spot” and Yze said Balta brought value beyond his mere playing ability for a young Tigers outfit.

“The way he played last time, he’ll be in our team,” Yze said on Thursday.

“He had a great session over the weekend … we got some volume into him and he’s had a great week on the track.

Noah Balta was sentenced in Albury Court. Picture: David Geraghty/ NewsWire

“He’s such a good teammate, the players love having him around, part of the group, and he’s a leader out there.

“He’s had a nice week and he’s ready to go.”

Having played last Thursday off a short break, Yze said the players were given a “freshen up” over the weekend and were now “running on top of the ground” ahead of the clash with the Hawks who have more to play for on Sunday.

Hawthorn will mark their 100th anniversary just over a century to the day since the club’s first VFL encounter against Richmond on May 2, 1925.

But while the Hawks could rise, Yze suggested there could be “payback” after they lost last year’s clash, which was superstar Dustin Martin’s 300th game.

“It’s a bit ironic,” Yze said.

“In Dusty’s 300th we played against the Hawks and they spoiled the party that day, so it might be a bit of payback (this week).”

Originally published as Noah Balta’s importance to Richmond singled out by coach Adem Yze ahead of return after court-imposed curfew