Richmond player’s cameraman act raises eyebrows

A Richmond star’s icy three-quarter-time act has got tongues wagging after a “horrible” incident in his team’s win over Adelaide.

Noah Balta appeared to look down the lens of the camera. Photo: Fox Footy.

Noah Balta’s three-quarter time death star in the direction of a TV camera has raised eyebrows.

The Richmond star was one of his team’s best as the Tigers pulled off a big win over the Crows in Adelaide on Thursday night.

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However, it was his three-quarter time glare that has attracted the most attention.

Balta mouthed some words in the direction of the TV camera that was filming Tigers players as they arrived for their third quarter huddle.

Noah Balta appeared to look down the lens of the camera. Photo: Fox Footy.

The Tigers camp appeared divided at the time as teammates of Noah Cumberland appeared to be furious with the youngster over a “cardinal sin” that cost the Tigers a goal late in the term.

Balta, however, went up to Cumberland and patted him on the back, and then walked away, looked into the nearby camera and appeared to mutter a swear word plus the word “stupid”.

As reported by foxsports.com.au, it’s unclear whether he was referring to the action, the camera being near him, or something else.

Balta’s act surprised many footy fans.

Noah Balta not a big fan of the cameraman?#AFLCrowsTigerspic.twitter.com/vddsXU2blN

— Basil (@BasilZoccali) June 6, 2024

wtf Noah I’m just watching the footy what did I do #AFLCrowsTigerspic.twitter.com/7nlbHNp4ut

— David Zita (@DavidZita1) June 6, 2024

For some reason Noah Balta seems FILTHY at the cammo at 3QT 🧐#AFLCrowsTigerspic.twitter.com/FpNPHjpmFp

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) June 6, 2024

His furious response came after Cumberland cost his team a chance to shut the doors on the Crows and extend their lead to 28 points.

The Tigers were threatening to break the game open, taking a 22-point lead on the road against the Crows, when Jacob Koschitzke took a big pack mark in the final minutes of the third term.

Noah Cumberland from nowhere. Photo: Fox Footy.

Noah Balta turned back to the camera and had another go.

His fellow forward Cumberland celebrated the mark wildly, immediately pushing over Adelaide defender Mark Keane and seeing a free kick paid against him.

Crows players responded by ganging up on Cumberland in a four-against-one push.

“That was a very stupid move at a critical moment in the game,” Alister Nicholson said on Channel 7.

“Cumberland will certainly feel the coach’s wrath for a cardinal sin there.”

Daisy Thomas also slammed Cumberland’s brain snap.

“Oh no. That was horrible by Cumberland,” he said on Seven.

“A real brain fade. No need to do it. You could see when he was running in he had real intent. Hopefully that doesn’t cost them in the long run.”

The Tigers’ eight point win was just the second for first-year coach Adem Yze.