In a special off-season series, Richmond Media is dissecting the key 2020 season statistics of each member of the Tigers’ triumphant premiership team (in guernsey number order). And Richmond great Matthew Richardson also is providing comments on each premiership player. Today we take a look at No. 21, Noah Balta.

Overall statistics

Games: 17  

Kicks average: 7.8   

Handballs average: 3.1

Disposals average: 10.9

Contested possessions average: 4.1     

Uncontested possessions average: 6.3

Rebound-50s average: 3.1

Marks average: 3.8

Contested marks average: 1.0

Intercepts average: 5.3

Score involvements average: 1.5

One-percenters average: 4.9

Metres gained average: 236.0

02:16

Grand recollections: Noah Balta

Noah Balta reflects on the 2020 Premiership

Season statistical highs

Kicks: 14 v West Coast, Round 14, Metricon Stadium.

Handballs: 7 v Melbourne, Round 5, MCG.

Disposals: 20 v Melbourne, Round 5, MCG.

Contested possessions: 9 v Western Bulldogs, Round 9, Metricon Stadium.

Uncontested possessions: 12 v West Coast, Round 14, Metricon Stadium.

Rebound-50s: 7 v Melbourne, Round 5, Melbourne.

Marks: 9 v West Coast, Round 14, Metricon Stadium.

Contested marks: 3 v Melbourne, Round 5, Melbourne.

Intercepts: 11 v West Coast, Round 14, Metricon Stadium.

Tackles: 3 v Western Bulldogs, Round 9, Metricon Stadium, v Brisbane, Round 10, Metricon Stadium and v Port Adelaide, Round 11, Adelaide Oval.

One-percenters: 10 v Port Adelaide, preliminary final, Adelaide Oval.

Metres gained: 449 v West Coast, Round 14, Metricon Stadium.

00:45

Round 14: Noah lets rip from outside the arc

Noah Balta gets mobbed by teammates after unleashing an absolute pearler from around 60m out.

Richmond rankings

No. 2 for one-percenters.

No. 3 for contested marks.

No. 4 for rebound-50s.

No. 4 for intercepts.

01:45

PF: 'To the Tiger Army at home, thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed' - Balta

Noah Balta chats to the media following the preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.

Richo says:

“What a rise for young Balta in 2020! Stepped into a key defensive role from Round 4 onwards and hardly lost a battle against the opposition’s biggest forwards. Convincingly beat two of the best in Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon. Not content to just defend. Wins the ball back in the air, which is invaluable. Powerful leg which can turn defence into attack very quickly. Provides versatility for the team as well. Shapes as a key back in the line-up for the next decade. Huge addition for the team.”