The great Noah Balta debate has been reignited.
Is he best suited within the Richmond line-up as a key defender or key forward?
What has prompted the resurfacing of the debate about Balta’s ideal on-field position, is how he performed against North Melbourne at the MCG last Saturday after being moved into attack by the Tigers’ interim coach Andrew McQualter.
Balta, who’d had a few goals kicked on him early in the game in his customary key defensive role, responded impressively to the shift forward, finishing the match with a game-high 10 marks, four inside-50s, four tackles, two goals, six score involvements and 279 metres gained.
He utilised his elite athletic traits to full advantage in Richmond’s forward half and subsequently had even Tiger goalkicking great Matthew Richardson, a big fan of Balta the backman, pondering whether he might be the answer to the Club’s search for Jack Riewoldt’s replacement.
“I’ve always been staunch on this, that he’s a defender, but it depends what happens over the off-season,” Richardson said on this week’s episode of the Club’s official podcast Talking Tigers.
“I don’t know what Blair (Hartley) and the list management are doing . . . if they’re looking at forwards from other clubs, which they may well be.
“But, if for whatever reason you couldn’t find that key forward, and (Josh) Gibcus is back fit, playing in defence, with Tylar Young, and ‘Grimesy’ (Dylan Grimes) contracted again next year . . . if you haven’t got that other key forward, maybe it is Balta with (Tom) Lynch.
“You know he can do it and if you need another key forward, maybe you’re searching for something you’ve already got.
“That’s the for (case).
“The against is that for most of this season he’s been the No. 1 intercept marking player in the comp. and right up there in intercept possessions.
“You’ve just got to remember that.”
Balta, 23, has played 84 senior games with Richmond, including the 2020 Grand Final triumph over Geelong at the Gabba in Brisbane.
He started the 2022 season up forward and kicked eight goals in the first three rounds, with an AFL career-high haul of four against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG in Round 2, before settling in defence as the year wore on.
