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Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
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.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
St Kilda great reveals heartbreaking reason why he forced himself to 'suffer quietly' after a life-changing injury rocked his career
Justin Koschitzke believes he returned to the footy pitch too soon after the St Kilda great suffered a horror head injury during a match in 2006. The 42-year-old, who said he had 'suffered quietly' after the life-changing injury, even thinks in hindsight that he should have perhaps hung up his boots entirely. During the Saints' Round Six victory over the Western Bulldogs back in 2006, the 42-year-old fractured his skull in a contest with Daniel Giansiracusa. Scary scenes unfolded, with Koschitzke dropping to the floor before he was taken from the field on a stretcher. He was expected to miss around four weeks of action due to the injury, but spent much longer on the sidelines, having struggled to regain hearing in one of his ears. Koschitzke, who is an advocate for mental health and wellbeing, would go on to miss 13 games of footy that season, returning for his side's Round 19 clash against Geelong. "Maybe knowing what I know now I wouldn't have played ever again" Justin Koschitzke discusses the hindsight he now has years on from this shocking incident. Watch Unfiltered on Seven and 7plus 👉 — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 23, 2025 Justin Koschitzke (pictured) has revealed that in hindsight he wishes he had retired from professional football instead of returning to play after sustaining a life-changing concussion But during an open and honest interview with Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, the 42-year-old revealed he would have done things differently in hindsight. 'You were recognising the symptoms then? It's not as if you look back and say you were suffering then, you were very aware of it then?' McLachlan asked, reflecting on the moment he was knocked out against the Bulldogs. 'I was very aware of it, but I thought that's OK because I've just been smashed in the head,' Koschitzke told the broadcaster. 'It will pass, this will get better. I suffered quietly. I couldn't tell anyone because you're in an environment where you don't want to lose respect from your team-mates or give an inch, you want your armour because then someone else is taking your spot.' Koschitzke has been open about his struggles with his concussion and mental health in the past, revealing in 2022 that he was unable to remember games that he had played in. During the interview the 42-year-old also revealed that there were games in which he wished his side would even lose. The footy star, who was drafted to the Saints in 2000, would hang up his boots in 2013, following a glittering career in which he kicked 247 goals across 200 appearances. But if he had his time again, Koschitzke stated that he perhaps wouldn't have returned so soon. 'What I thought was manning up was to come back and play that year when if I had my time again, there's no way I would have played that year. 'Maybe knowing what I know now I probably would never have played ever again. I can honestly say that. 'Why would I put myself in a situation to keep getting hit and keep getting hit - knowing what I know and feel as a 42-year-old. 'But then you're bulletproof. Your legs are OK, no problem, let's go play.' 'But it was the most ridiculously uncomfortable period. Running up the race, with the helmet on, going: "I'm not ready, I'm dizzy, I'm out of body," with the thought of the neurologist going: "Jeez, I didn't know if you were going to walk or talk again". 'And then you've actually got a game to think about. You've got tactics. You've got opposition. You've got a gameplan and a structure and all of this, you have to get yourself into a competitive environment, basically, while you're having an anxiety attack.' If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
