Noah Balta is shaping as Richmond’s best swingman since the Club’s 1980 premiership hero Jimmy Jess.

The talented, athletic 22-year-old showcased his versatility in the Tigers’ opening round clash of the 2022 season with Carlton at the MCG last Thursday night.

Having spent the pre-season training and playing practice matches as a forward, Balta started in defence against the Blues, before being swung into attack by coach Damien Hardwick, who was looking for him to provide the team with a boost.

The move was an instant success with Balta booting back-to-back goals early in the third quarter.

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Round 1: Balta has instant impact up forward with two goals

Noah Balta plays up forward for a spell and does some damage, quicklykicking two goals.

“We came into the season wanting to have that swingman that could go back and forward,” Hardwick said.

“He’s only going to get better, I think, when he gets an understanding and learns how to go from back to forward and forward to back.”

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Round 1: Hardwick post-match

Damien Hardwick speak to the media after the round 1 match against Carlton

Jimmy Jess had a distinguished 223-game career at Richmond.

Although Jess was predominantly renowned as a fine centre half-back, he also made the most of his time spent up forward, kicking a total of 175 goals in his time with the Tigers.

He finished with 20 goals or more in a season four times, with a best return of 24 in 1984.

“The Ghost”, as he is affectionately known, was shifted to centre half-forward late in the 1980 season. He played a valuable role there in the Tigers’ Grand Final demolition of Collingwood with 16 disposals, five marks and a goal.