Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland

I just dont see a defender when i see Balta , He is 100% a foward imo

The type of position i would like to see him play at the moment would be the role Tom Lynch plays for the crows
 
havnt been fortunate enough to see this kid live yet.

when we drafted him, I was most excited by his mitts.

But by the vision on rfc coaches corner this week, I cant believe how he covers the ground for a 195/95

He motors a bit like Richo I reckon?

additional insights appreciated VFL blokes.
 
He has great small game, easy. Sitting with Jack and Gyps watching the Casey game, Jack was onto it - brilliant swooping gather on the HFF and Jack just says, "See? Small."

He's raw, but bloody exciting.
 
Tony Braxton-Hicks said:
He moves like Rance. But don’t forget how long it took Rance to play like Rance.
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Before we drafted him I thought Balta is the closest specimen to Rance I’ve seen in 10 years.

Hopefully Noah proves there’s two of every kind.
 
easy said:
havnt been fortunate enough to see this kid live yet.

when we drafted him, I was most excited by his mitts.

But by the vision on rfc coaches corner this week, I cant believe how he covers the ground for a 195/95

He motors a bit like Richo I reckon?

additional insights appreciated VFL blokes.
Click to expand...


What was equally impressive was the double tackle highlighted.

In Feb 2018 I mentioned in a training report that he appeared to have this tackling aggression which would perfectly fit our pressure game as much as his X factor. As a reminder this is what i said:

"It was all about forward pressure.

Players lined up, had to sprint to Leppa and man the mark Morro style, then had to turn and sprint to apply imaginary pressure to cardboard cutout and proceeding on to smash impact bag, then up immediately to their feet and apply a smother another 10 metres away before gathering ball and snapping for goal.

Balta went the hardest with the main difference being the smother, where other's just went through the motion of the smother and mostly missing it Balta on both occasions came flying in with his superman cape on parallel to the ground and smashing the smother. (it was after this that Leppa laughed and said we need to rename the drill "THE BALTA")

Was also impressed with how he moved in game simulation drills but seeing him going so hard at "The Balta" ;D gave me hope that he does have that want/aggro to go with his natural athletic abilities"


Great to see the same in an actual game, Imagine the upgrade we would have if you slotted him in for Townsend where he could provide similar tackling pressure but so much more offensively.
 
I am incredibly impressed with this young player.

About 25 year ago I was at Princes Park watching the Tiges play and there was an unbroken colt with long flowing locks in a ponytail playing in the vfl curtain raiser by the name of Matthew Richardson. I remember thinking wow this kid is going to be something, his speed on the lead was incredible and he had a level of self confidence, almost arrogance, on the field that was infectious.

That's the feeling I get from Balta. He really believes in his ability to beat anyone, a couple of things he did yesterday were ridiculous. You don't take a bounce when you have 2 opposition players within a metre or so when you are 194cm tall, Balta did. He is also a thumping kick

Sign him up with a contract extension Balmey and let's enjoy the ride.

I should say that I am very impressed with CCJ as well. I think we have a couple of live ones here which makes the Lynch question an interesting one imo.
 
Can’t remember us having a junior kpp that’s got so much talent and athleticism.

Obviously a lot of things can happen , however I still can’t believe a player like that gets to pick 25 :don't know , I said to Taz yesterday maybe it’s that he has quite ones , then after a slowish start he bangs home 3 goals and shows plenty again.

Fly has one hell of a project to work with,
 
What I struck me about him live first time , apart from his athletic ability ,for a kid he has a bit of strut about him ,

not shy at all
 
Rance would have been getting games, although not in such a strong side and in a different era.

He is one hell of a prospect. And CuJo a lovely complement: he just seems to know where he needs to go whereas Balta is like a colt running free.
 
Tony Braxton-Hicks said:
Rance would have been getting games, although not in such a strong side and in a different era.

He is one hell of a prospect. And CuJo a lovely complement: he just seems to know where he needs to go whereas Balta is like a colt running free.
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Yep it’s a good position to be in, been able to let the kids develop without been thrown to the wolves.
 
Sounds like Balta could be the real deal especially in defence but is still learning his trade in VFL which is a long way from AFL level. I am sure he is going to make it but he should not be rushed as that could do more harm than good.
 
Thanks to all for those reports on Balta.

Would love to see him debut some time soon and have a look and see how he goes within our senior system.
 
He's at his best when set free from defence and can gallop forward, but he seems to go missing when starting in attack (I didn't see much of the second half this week though).

The back six of our seniors is settled, so there's no place for him there this year.

Does he have the tank yet to play wing in the seniors? If so we may have another ace to slip from our sleeve from late August.
 
UKTiger said:
Sounds like Balta could be the real deal especially in defence but is still learning his trade in VFL which is a long way from AFL level. I am sure he is going to make it but he should not be rushed as that could do more harm than good.
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Forget defence. This guy has serious pace and agility. You could see how he suddenly went into another gear when set free forward in the VFL game on the weekend. I agree he should not be rushed in. Is not doing enough yet to warrant it anyway but this guy is a serious talent and a beast to go with it.
 
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