Richmond defender Noah Balta returns to the field in a practice match, as anti-violence advocates condemned ‘cowardly acts of violence’

AFL slammed for sending “wrong message” after Tigers defender Noah Balta returned to the field just days before his sentencing on assault charges.

Anti-violence campaigners have condemned “the wrong message” sent by Richmond defender Noah Balta’s return to the footy field days before his sentencing on assault charges.

Balta on Sunday dodged questions in his first game back from a club imposed suspension, playing for Richmond’s VFL side in a practice match againsts Australia Under-18 squad.

But Matt Cronin, the father of Pat Cronin who was killed in a one-punch attack outside a pub in 2016, urged the AFL and Richmond to take a tougher stance against “these cowardly acts of violence”.

“It’s just not adequate, it’s just sending the wrong message in my mind,” he told the Herald Sun.

“We’ve got to send a stronger message, that’s really what it comes down to.’’

Balta pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident outside the Mulwala water Ski Club in NSW last December.

He is due to be sentenced on April 22.

The defender was stoic as he left the pitch after the siren on Sunday, avoiding the gaze of waiting cameras and refusing to answer questions.

Noah Balta in action with Richmond VFL side against Australia U18 at Moorabin Oval. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Cronin said AFL players were role models and what they did could send a message about what behaviour is right or wrong.

“I think in this case it’s clearly the wrong message,’’ he said.

Matt Cronin, whose son Pat was killed when he was king hit. Picture by Wayne Taylor

Premier Jacinta Allan last week asked the AFL and Richmond to explain their decision to let Balta play football this weekend.

“Having looked at the footage … what a sickening attack that was,” she said.

“How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question about what’s going on here? What sort of message does this send to kids about what’s right and what’s wrong?

“I think that’s really a question that the AFL and Richmond need to answer,” Ms Allan said.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the AFL did not condone what Balta did while speaking in Adelaide on Sunday morning.

Noah Balta at the Australia U18 practice match at Moorabin Oval. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“He’s now part of a judicial process which is ongoing, but he also went through and AFL and Richmond process.

“He was out of the program for six weeks, he’s gone through behavioural frameworks which he has to continue to adhere to and he will do that,” Mr Dillon said.

Balta finished the match with 11 disposals and four marks, playing in defence across the four quarters.

He received a mixed response from fans, with some praising the leadership role he played among the younger VFL side.

One lifelong Richmond fan said it was good to see Balta return to play but he was conflicted given the assault charge.

“I think if he was suspended from the AFL until his sentencing, that might be more appropriate,” the fan said.

Another fan insisted Balta had “served his punishment”, and noted the defender would have forgone his salary throughout his suspension.

Originally published as Richmond defender Noah Balta returns to the field in a practice match, as anti-violence advocates condemned ‘cowardly acts of violence’