Richmond star Noah Balta will remain eligible for rounds five and six of the AFL season as he awaits sentencing

Richmond star Noah Balta has pleaded guilty to assault charges – but he will soon be available for AFL selection given the club’s ban will stand.

Richmond star Noah Balta will remain eligible for rounds five and six of the AFL season as he awaits sentencing for his assault on a man outside a Mulwala club over summer.

Richmond’s four-match AFL suspension will stand despite calls from former stars including North Melbourne premiership player David King for the league to step in.

Balta will be sentenced in Albury Local Court on April 22 for the attack on a 27-year-old man at the Mulwala Water Ski Club, having pleaded guilty to the assault.

Balta’s victim on Friday reached a confidential settlement with the Tigers footballer after having to take time off his work at the Wangaratta council as a result of his injuries.

The confidential settlement was reached after Balta was sued for pain and suffering as well as medical expenses.

Balta’s remorse and guilty plea is understood to have played a part in his victim’s willingness to settle the suit.

Footage released in court on Thursday showed Balta shoving the man through the air and then punching him.

It had led to calls for the Tigers to stand him down until the court case was resolved, with Richmond having already handed him a four-week AFL ban.

But the Herald Sun understands that suspension, which also took in two pre-season games, will not be revisited by the club.

Noah Balta at Richmond training. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The club conducted a thorough process when Balta was suspended in January and was fully aware of the facts of the case.

Balta made a full admission to the club about his role in the incident.

Importantly, the facts of the case as presented were consistent with his version of events.

The prosecution said the suspension was so insignificant as to be irrelevant.

But as Balta continues to train at Punt Road he could play in both those games before the court case is resolved.

Richmond declined to comment on Friday, while the AFL said it did not have an update as it waited for the court proceedings to continue on April 22.

Whether Balta plays in those games or in the VFL will depend upon Richmond’s injury list and the football department’s view on whether he is fit enough after missing so much football.

Richmond takes on Fremantle on April 13 in the Barossa Valley in Gather Round and then the Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on April 19 ahead of his sentencing.

The club has a long list of ACL victims including to key talls Mykelti Lefau, Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young so if a player like Tom Lynch or Toby Nankervis is injured Richmond could easily rush Balt straight back into action.

The court heard Balta had completed an anger management program, a further behavioural change program and had abstained from alcohol since the offence.

Footage played to the court showed seven people arguing in a car park before Balta ran at 27-year-old Thomas Washbrook before assaulting him.

Originally published as Richmond star Noah Balta will remain eligible for rounds five and six of the AFL season as he awaits sentencing