Noah Balta, Thomson Dow discuss position moves under new Richmond coach Adem Yze

The Adem Yze era is taking shape at Punt Road, with a host of young Tigers firming to feature in opening round. Noah Balta reveals the four rising stars who have impressed him most.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Augus 14, 2023. AFL. Richmonds Thomson Dow during the round 22 match between St Kilda and Richmond at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Photo by Michael Klein.

Richmond swingman Noah Balta says he is looking forward to forming a new partnership with Tom Lynch and Jacob Koschitzke in attack this year as a host of young Tigers begin to blossom.

A premiership player as a key defender in 2020, Balta has been swung forward at times over the past two years but looks set to make a more permanent move under new coach Adem Yze.

The 24-year-old has been training with the forwards over summer and is poised to line up alongside Koschitzke when the Tigers meet the Gold Coast Suns in round zero next month.

Lynch has been ruled out of that match against his old side due to an ongoing foot issue, but remains hopeful of facing Carlton the following week.

“Me and Kosi have been working really well together, doing heaps of work together, heaps of vision together,” Balta said.

“So (we’re) slowly growing. I think we’re both kind of learning the new role, because he’s coming from another club.”

Noah Balta is set to be swung into attack. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Balta said he had been impressed by a number of young Tigers over the off-season, who will be staking their claims for more opportunities this year.

“I feel like Thomson Dow has been killing it,” he said during Richmond’s community camp in Mildura.

“Jack Ross, Juddy Clark, Steely Green, they’re all just putting in the work and it’s showing, especially this pre-season.

“They bring their notepads to the training meetings and all that and they’ve just grown so much this year and they’re so clear on everything.

“I’m really excited to see those boys.”

Balta’s move forward has been helped by the return of young key defender Josh Gibcus, who did not play a game last year due to repeat hamstring issues.

Gibcus had shone brightly in his debut season in 2022, playing 18 games.

“Hopefully (he) gets more games in him and gets more experience,” Balta said of Gibcus.

“He’s going to be a champion for us.”

DOW PRIMED TO SEIZE MIDFIELD RESPONSIBILITY

Matthew Forrest

Emerging Richmond midfielder Thomson Dow is eyeing a breakthrough season as he prepares to be handed the keys to the engine room by new coach Adem Yze.

The 22-year-old has struggled to break into Richmond’s mature midfield mix, playing just 18 games since being picked in the first round of the 2019 draft.

However, a strong pre-season has Dow primed for an opening round berth.

Dow said Yze had shown significant faith in him as he plots the next era at Punt Road.

“He always says to back myself in, in the contest because he does so it’s important that I do as well,” he said.

“I think more than anything it’s another year in the system, as well as having fresh faces.

“Having ‘Ooze’ (Yze) and Chris Newman and (Jack) Ziebell coming in has been refreshing and I think they’ve given me a good leg up and a bit of confidence.

“Nothing really changes, I keep going about my business, building a good fitness tank is always important, I think for me it’s even more important, so a good pre-season always helps.”

Thomson Dow is primed to step up under Adem Yze. Picture: Michael Klein

Dow did not feature at AFL level in 2023 until round 10 against Essendon, when he was subbed off after six disposals in three quarters.

He was recalled in round 22 in given his preferred midfield role, collecting 21, 16 and 27 disposals in the final three games of the season.

He also averaged 4.3 clearances and 2.3 tackles per game in those matches, giving Tigers fans a glimpse of what they will hope will become a regular occurrence in 2024.

Dow spent his off-season back home in Swan Hill, where he trained with older brother and new St Kilda midfielder Paddy Dow,

He already has a clash against the Saints circled on the calendar.

“I actually spent a lot of my time in Swan Hill, I didn’t do too much other than a bit of relaxing,” he said.

“I did (train with Paddy), we try and train, do every session together.

“It’s hard with different programs but we did a lot together, which is good.

“I haven’t played against him in an AFL game/ I (faced) him in a VFL match but hopefully it turns out that way.

“I know we (play) Saints at Gather Round, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Originally published as Noah Balta, Thomson Dow discuss position moves under new Richmond coach Adem Yze