Noah Balta: Footy star makes huge call after allegedly bashing a man outside a pub in late-night attack
Noah Balta: Footy star makes huge call after allegedly bashing a man outside a pub in late-night attack
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Noah Balta will plead guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after the AFL star allegedly bashed a man outside a pub on December 30 last year, his lawyer told a court on Thursday. The Richmond defender was charged by NSW Police on December 31 after officers were called to a sports club in the Riverina town of Mulawa at 12.30am following reports of an assault.
![[The 25-year-old is accused of putting another man in hospital during the alleged attack]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/02/94664111-14340545-image-a-70_1738202557860.jpg)
In a statement, police said a 27-year-old man was taken to Yarrawonga Hospital in a stable condition with a laceration to his head. That man has since been named as Thomas Washbrook, 27. Balta presented himself to Mulawa police the day after the alleged assault.
![[Balta (pictured) was suspended for four AFL matches by Richmond and will also miss the Tigers' two preseason games]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/02/94664109-14340545-image-a-71_1738202588962.jpg)
The 25-year-old Tigers star did not appear in Corowa Local Court but was represented by his lawyer, who told the magistrate his client will enter a guilty plea. Richmond Tigers star Noah Balta intends to plead guilty to assaulting a man at a sports club on December 30 last year, his lawyer told a NSW court on Thursday.
The 25-year-old is accused of putting another man in hospital during the alleged attack. Balta was reportedly in Mulwala preparing to celebrate the New Year with family and friends. His bail was extended at Thursday's hearing and he is due to face court again on March 20.
He was suspended for four AFL matches as a result of the alleged attack, and will also be forced to miss his team's two preseason games in addition to completing an education course and getting counselling. 'Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident,' Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said in a club statement.
