Exciting, young, tall utility Noah Balta had significant impact in his return to Richmond’s senior side against Melbourne at the MCG yesterday.
Balta, playing just his 14th AFL game, and first this season, was one of the Tigers’ best in their 27-point victory over the Demons.
The powerfully-built, athletic 20-year-old, filling in for injured experienced key defender David Astbury had 20 disposals, including a game-high 10 intercepts, equal game-high seven rebound-50s, a team-high 409 metres gained, and took an equal team-high eight marks, including and equal game-high three contested grabs.
He constantly took the game on in his trademark aggressive style and provided the team with good rebound out of defence.
The high number of intercepts Balta had throughout the match also underlined the development of his ability to read the play and position himself well in on-field contests.
