Richmond’s Noah Balta arrested and charged with assault

A Richmond Tigers premiership star has been charged with assault following an alleged late-night incident in New South Wales.

Noah Balta has been charged with assault. Pic: Michael Klein

Richmond premiership star Noah Balta has been arrested and charged with assault following an alleged late-night incident in New South Wales.

The incident is said to have taken place at a sports club in Mulwala, near the New South Wales and Victoria border, at around 12:30am on Monday December 30.

Richmond issued a statement on Wednesday, confirming Balta had been arrested but wouldn’t be making any further comment as the investigation gets underway.

“The Richmond Football Club can confirm that AFL player Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an incident on the 30th December, 2024,” the statement read.

“As the matter is now before the courts the club can make no further comment.

“The club has made the AFL aware of the incident.”

Noah Balta has been charged with assault. Pic: Michael Klein

In a statement provided to news.com.au, NSW Police confirmed the 25-year-old was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“About 12.30am yesterday (Monday 30 December 2024), officers attached to Murray River Police District were called to a sports club in Mulwala, following reports of an assault,” the statement read.

“A 27-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a laceration to his head and taken to Yarrawonga Hospital in a stable condition.

“About 11.30am today (Tuesday 31 December 2024), a 25-year-old man was arrested at Mulwala Police Station.

“He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and given conditional bail to appear before Corowa Local Court on Thursday 30 January 2025.”

Balta was charged with assault. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

News of the incident comes just months after the 25-year-old put pen to paper on a mammoth seven year contract extension.

The deal will keep him at Punt Road until the end of 2032 and defied the mass exodus of premiership players from the club.

Richmond list boss Blair Hartley said Balta, who had played 104 games, would be a crucial leader as the club moves through a rebuild under coach Adem Yze.

“Noah is an important player to us with his versatility and ability to give us a powerful aerial option in all areas of the ground,” Hartley said.

“He continues to develop his game and leadership credentials, and we look forward to seeing him continue to flourish going forward.

“His development since arriving at the Club seven years ago has been terrific, and it is great news for everyone involved with the Club that Noah will be a key part of the next generation of Richmond.”

Originally published as Richmond’s Noah Balta arrested and charged with assault