AFL 2025: Richmond ‘can’t wait’ to have defender Noah Balta back between his suspension and sentencing

Richmond coach Adem Yze has reinforced his stance on Noah Balta’s return from suspension, saying the Tigers aren’t “going to change our verdict”. Balta is serving the final match of a six-game ban after he was charged with assault in January. The 25-year-old has pleaded guilty and will face sentencing in Albury Local Court on April 22. Balta is available for matches against Fremantle and Gold Coast between the end of his suspension and his sentencing. Yze doubled down on Wednesday on whether Balta would play before his court date, declaring “it’s going to be nice when he’s available”. “The AFL was part of the process when we sanctioned him; six weeks is a long time for a player to have out,” he said. “Not only the six weeks suspension, he’s been dealing with this for three months. He’s been doing extras at training, community service, helping around the footy club. “He’s earning the trust and respect back not only from his team but his club, he’s hating not being out there. “The fact that it’s out in the media now – it happened in January. He’s been dealing with that for a long time, so we’re not going to change our verdict. “We’ve worked with the AFL and we’re really clear on that. It’s going to be nice when he is available.” Yze again defended Balta when asked to detail his reaction to footage of the assault. He said Balta had been clear on the event, which led to no shock when the video emerged. “It was exactly what he told us had happened,” Yze said. “It’s in the courts, so we can’t really talk about the facts, but what you did see is exactly what he told us. “He was honest about it, he knew he made a mistake and, like I said, he’s been earning the trust of not only us but the whole footy club. “We can’t wait to allow him to get back out and do that on the footy field as well.”