Tigers star Noah Balta charged with assault after late-night incident at Mulwala

Richmond’s Noah Balta has been charged with assault after a late-night incident at a sports club on the Victoria-NSW border that left a man in hospital.

Noah Balta has been charged with assaulting a man. Picture: Getty

Tigers star Noah Balta has been charged with assaulting a man, who was injured so badly he was hospitalised, in a late-night incident at a sports club on the Victoria-NSW border.

Balta will now be required to front court on a count of ­assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the midst of Richmond’s pre-season training.

The arrest of Balta, 25, came after police were called to ­reports of an assault at the Mulwala Water Ski Club about 12.30am on Monday.

Paramedics treated the 27-year-old alleged victim for a cut to the head before he had to be taken to Yarrawonga Hospital on the Victorian side of the Murray River for treatment.

Balta was arrested after the alleged incident in the early hours of Monday. Picture: Michael Klein

The premiership defender was arrested at Mulwala police station at 11.30am on Tuesday, hours before he had been planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve with his friends and family.

“He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and given conditional bail to appear before Corowa Local Court on Thursday January 30,” a statement from police said. Richmond released a statement on Wednesday evening in relation to the incident. It said: “The Richmond Football Club can confirm that AFL player Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an incident on December 30.

“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.”

The AFL’s integrity unit has been informed.

The charge carries a maximum of two years’ jail in the local courts of NSW.

Police were called to ­reports of an assault at the Mulwala Water Ski Club about 12.30am on Monday.

Balta, a key-position player with a booming kick, is regarded as one the Tigers’ most crucial assets as they enter a period of rebuilding.

That was reflected in October when the club signed him to a new long-term contract which ties him to Punt Rd until 2032.

He has played 104 games in six seasons, including in the 2020 premiership triumph.

Richmond list boss Blair Hartley earlier this year said Balta’s leadership would be ­integral for the club’s future.

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

“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.”

Balta celebrates after the Tigers won the 2020 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Quinn Rooney

The exodus of senior players in the off-season means Balta is seen as a vital cog.

But it is not Balta’s first run-in, after he was involved in a scuffle at a local soccer game in early 2023.

He was reportedly punched in the mouth in February of that year while coaching a local soccer team in Melbourne with former teammate Ivan Soldo.

He was not seriously injured when allegedly struck after a fight broke out during the match.

Balta self-reported the incident to the club, which later cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Last week another Richmond player, Dion Prestia, was unwittingly caught up in a 2am incident at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.

On-baller Prestia, another premiership player, witnessed a confrontation near the Continental Hotel.

Two men were later treated in hospital as a result of that fracas, which Prestia was not directly involved in.