24-04-2025
Richmond star speaks out on how Noah Balta's high-profile court case - as Tigers slump to their fifth defeat of the season
Richmond forward Tom Lynch has spoken out on Noah Balta's high-profile court case, claiming that while the legal saga has been a 'distraction for the club' the result did not have a bearing on their 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63) defeat by Melbourne on Thursday.
Balta pleaded guilty to an assault of a 27-year-old man in December 2024 and on Tuesday appeared in Albury Local Court for sentencing.
He was handed a $3,000 fine, an 18-month community corrections order and a three-month 10pm to 6am curfew. He could effectively be set to miss a large chunk of the season due to the sanction.
Balta has since shown his remorse over the assault, apologising to the victim in a public statement issued through the footy club and is currently undergoing educational and therapy sessions following the incident.
'It's obviously been a distraction for the club,' Lynch said to Channel 7 following the defeat.
'We obviously know that Balta's done the wrong thing and he's copped his punishment now and we want to support him through that.'
"We obviously know that (Noah) Balta's done the wrong thing and he's copped his punishment now and we want to support him through that ... we just want to wrap our arms around him."
🗣️ Tom Lynch on Noah Balta | #AFLDeesTigers
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 24, 2025
Richmond star Tom Lynch says the Tigers are wrapping their arms around Noah Balta following his high-profile court case
Balta had returned to feature during the Tigers' Round Six victory against Gold Coast but on Thursday, Adem Yze's side would go on to suffer their fifth defeat of the season.
After Richmond went into the sheds at half-time just four points down, the Demons, winning only their second game of the season, pulled ahead in the third term, booting six goals.
Lynch would instigate a late comeback for the Tigers with a pair of goals late on but it proved too little too late.
'Nah I don't think it had any bearing on tonight,' Lynch, who booted three goals and three behinds said.
He added: 'We care for Balta as a person, obviously it's actions that we don't accept.
'But we want to wrap our arms around him again and he's clearly been remorseful.'
Imposing captain Max Gawn has inspired Melbourne to their second consecutive AFL win, leading from the front during their 20-point victory over Richmond.
After last week breaking their duck for the season against Fremantle, Simon Goodwin's side busted open a tight and scrappy affair when they ramped up their pressure after half-time.
Melbourne's sixth straight win over Richmond - a stranglehold that dates back to 2021 - improved their record to 2-5, level with their opponents.
Gawn was everywhere as he tallied 25 disposals, nine marks, six clearances and a dozen score involvements as the most influential player on the ground before being rested late in the match.
Christian Petracca kicked two goals from 28 touches, Jake Bowey (32 disposals, five clearances) continued his strong start to the season and Jack Viney (15 tackles) worked tirelessly in opposition to Tim Taranto.
Following his sizzling display against the Dockers five days earlier, Kysaiah Pickett (18 disposals, one goal) was well held by Nathan Broad in the first half but had an impact after the main break.
Melbourne kicked the first three goals of a tight first term, in which Pickett did not have an effective disposal.
Their lead was trimmed to five points after the quarter-time when Taranto converted a free kick paid against Viney for holding off the ball.
Ill-discipline and turnovers hurt the Tigers at times throughout the first half, and Maurice Rioli gifted the Dees a goal to Harrison Petty with high contact to Bowey off the ball.
It was one four lead changes in the second term and Melbourne headed to the main break with a slender four-point lead.
Pickett's strong bump on James Trezise was a spark early in the third term and the Demons' increased pressure overwhelmed their opponents.
Pickett kicked the first of three quick goals which put a break between the teams and Melbourne kicked 6.3 to 1.2 for the term.
Clayton Oliver (22 disposals, seven clearances) was also influential in the third quarter, gathering 13 possessions after managing just five in the first half.
The margin ballooned to 35 points by the final change and the Demons were never threatened from there.
Tigers spearhead Lynch kicked 3.3 from at least eight shots in an intriguing battle with former Gold Coast teammate Steven May.
Taranto kicked two goals from 22 touches, while Jacob Hopper (23 disposals) and Thomson Dow (28) were among the major ball-winners for a Richmond outfit that was outplayed after half-time.
The Tigers trailed by as much as 44 points during the final term but kicked the last four goals when Gawn was resting on the bench.
