Noah Balta is not just staying at Richmond he’s signed a seven-year contract extension

With several of his star teammates heading for the exit door a Richmond big man has done the opposite and signed a mammoth new contract.

Richmond swingman Noah Balta is the latest AFL player to be contracted in to the 2030s after signing a mammoth seven year extension, defying the mass exodus of premiership players from the Tigers.

Balta, 24, who was contracted until the end of 2025, has signed a seven-year extension, keeping him at Punt Road until the end of 2032.

It comes just days after St Kilda forward Max King inked a similar extension of his existing deal and they join a growing list of players tied to extraordinarily long deals.

In a shot across the bow of exiting players including vice-captain Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Jack Graham an Shai Bolton, Balta said he was a “loyal person” and saw upside at Richmond.

“I think I am a loyal person, and I want to repay the favour that players like David Astbury, Alex Rance, and Dylan Grimes showed me when I was younger,” he said.

“They pushed me to get better, and now I want to be the one helping to drive the next generation.

“I could not see myself playing anywhere else, and I think the hard work that we are about to all put in will make the future highs even sweeter.”

Noah chance of going anywhere 😮‍💨

Balta signs a seven-year extension.

Presented by @MilwaukeeTool, our trade and list management partner.

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) October 10, 2024

Balta’s decision to stay comes after Richmond president, John O’Rourke appeared to deliver a thinly-veiled swipe to departing at the club’s best and fairest.

“How fortunate are we to have players of the character of a Nathan Broad?,” he said, talking about the premiership winner who also re-signed.

“Here’s a player who was drafted into an era of immediate club success as a mature-age player. I know through this year, I’m sure he could have explored options to see out his career in his home state, or perhaps look for more lucrative options with other clubs. But he chose to extend for a further two years.”

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 Noah Balta is not just staying at Richmond he’s signed a seven-year contract extension