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

bullus_hit said:
Not sure we'll play him higher up the ground in the real deal, would need to come in as a pressure forward. Don't think he has the height for a wing, maybe a Prestia type role if & when a vacancy opens. Having watched Charlie Spargo recently there's a few parallels, a run with role might suit him. Could see him playing on a guy like Zorko.
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Guess it depends on your role. I've noticed Prestia play a bit on the wing in the past and he's only 175cm.
 
spook said:
We're going to need someone. This year. A second ruck that's not Grigg, a second forward who's not Caddy or Towner, if we are to win the flag. Otherwise, NicNat or Gawn will get a hold of us (which they are well capable of without giving them a leg-up).

Balta is a kid. No way can he second ruck for half a season. But 5-6 weeks? As we saw with Towner and Graham last year, timing is everything.

At the moment, Moore and Chol are in front. Balta will blow past them in time. But timing? It's a knife's edge at times.
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With a throw to Bullus' post too. I've already said that I think Moore did little wrong although we all know he's kicking isn't the greatest. I've also stated that from what I saw of Chol in about 1Q of VFL last week, he has really progressed. In fact, if we we want a forward and pinch-hit ruck, I now think Cholly is the best choice ATM.

But I was calling for Balta to be selected for the Eagles game, where McGovern intercepted everything and Jack was often triple-teamed. Several posters called me out for being ridiculous; he's just a kid; too; young; too inexperienced. Sure, maybe. But Balta is 19, 194cm and 94kg, taken pick 25 (not that relevant really).

Crows are playing Darcy Fogarty, 6 games 2018, a month older than Noah, 193cm and 94kg also, av. 8.2 x Ds and 3.8 x Ms. Colonwood have played Jaidyn Stephenson every game in 2018, taken pick 6, about 8/9 months older, 188cm and 77kg so much lighter but averaging 13.7 x Ds and 3.7 x Ms.

Of course these young talents are just starting their careers, heap of improvement to come. It's not how old you are or how big or fast even. It's how good you are that shows whether you're ready. I don't think even their respective draft positions determine if and when a young guy is ready.

I think Balta could step up this season ... even next week. But I'm happy to put my trust in the currently proven, excellent hands of the development coaches, at our club. Happy to see what Moore and Chol can offer in the meantime. Don't think Balts is a kid that needs over-protecting though myself.
 
Have to admit - I’m a big fan. What I like about him is he is a big boy with an appetite for the contest and can kick the pill!! I’d like to see him at the top level
 
If we play him forward he'll smash it imo.

I'd like to see him come in soon. Could be a real wildcard.
 
leon said:
With a throw to Bullus' post too. I've already said that I think Moore did little wrong although we all know he's kicking isn't the greatest. I've also stated that from what I saw of Chol in about 1Q of VFL last week, he has really progressed. In fact, if we we want a forward and pinch-hit ruck, I now think Cholly is the best choice ATM.

But I was calling for Balta to be selected for the Eagles game, where McGovern intercepted everything and Jack was often triple-teamed. Several posters called me out for being ridiculous; he's just a kid; too; young; too inexperienced. Sure, maybe. But Balta is 19, 194cm and 94kg, taken pick 25 (not that relevant really).

Crows are playing Darcy Fogarty, 6 games 2018, a month older than Noah, 193cm and 94kg also, av. 8.2 x Ds and 3.8 x Ms. Colonwood have played Jaidyn Stephenson every game in 2018, taken pick 6, about 8/9 months older, 188cm and 77kg so much lighter but averaging 13.7 x Ds and 3.7 x Ms.

Of course these young talents are just starting their careers, heap of improvement to come. It's not how old you are or how big or fast even. It's how good you are that shows whether you're ready. I don't think even their respective draft positions determine if and when a young guy is ready.

I think Balta could step up this season ... even next week. But I'm happy to put my trust in the currently proven, excellent hands of the development coaches, at our club. Happy to see what Moore and Chol can offer in the meantime. Don't think Balts is a kid that needs over-protecting though myself.
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Good call Leon, I did a bit of checking and other notable talls played games in their 1ST season

Kosi
Jack's cousin Nick
Browine from Brisbane
And our own Richo who played 14 games in his first Season.

All similar height and weight to Noah.
 
Speaking to another draftee who played against Noah at the champs said he is a gun but is a different cat
 
Tony Braxton-Hicks said:
He hasn't smashed it as a forward in the VFL. He's been at his best running forward from wing or defence, but has been largely MIA when starting forward.
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Looked damn good in that last quarter. I would love to see him grow into a big winger's role but to me he looks like he has the nous as a forward.
 
Some of the greatest Richmond KPP started their career on the wings: *smile* Clay and Francis Bourke, Allan Edwards, Michael Roach and Matthew Richardson. Fairly handy bunch! All went on to establish long and successful careers. Great place to start.

Imagine someone like Devon Smith, now being touted in the Hun today as the current leading Pressure player in the AFL, or Zaharakis, seeing Balts coming to pick them up this Saturday night. Wait till he tackles them; good luck in marking contests, and we know they won't run away from him too often although he will need a few rotations at this stage. Then chuck him forward for a while and get Cal Moore to have a run on the wing. Keep getting them to switch.

Worth watching.
 
leon said:
Some of the greatest Richmond KPP started their career on the wings: *smile* Clay and Francis Bourke, Allan Edwards, Michael Roach and Matthew Richardson. Fairly handy bunch! All went on to establish long and successful careers. Great place to start.
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One of them ended his career on the wing and came 3rd in the Brownlow.
 
leon said:
Some of the greatest Richmond KPP started their career on the wings: *smile* Clay and Francis Bourke, Allan Edwards, Michael Roach and Matthew Richardson. Fairly handy bunch! All went on to establish long and successful careers. Great place to start.

Imagine someone like Devon Smith, now being touted in the Hun today as the current leading Pressure player in the AFL, or Zaharakis, seeing Balts coming to pick them up this Saturday night. Wait till he tackles them; good luck in marking contests, and we know they won't run away from him too often although he will need a few rotations at this stage. Then chuck him forward for a while and get Cal Moore to have a run on the wing. Keep getting them to switch.

Worth watching.
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IIRC, Rance started on a wing too.
 
Kaelan said:
Speaking to another draftee who played against Noah at the champs said he is a gun but is a different cat
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Another similarity to Trossman. We embrace differences at Tigerland. Hopefully Balta is feeling well at home to showcase his talents.
 
Wing would be nice way to start and let him just run forward instead of starting him forward.

If he doesn't debut soon I would love him to be given games in the VFL trialing him on a wing in the hope, I say hope, that come close to finals we have a look at the kid.

Just excited by this kid and hope the confidence he displays by the reports of PRE supporters who watch him closely he could be our wildcard player like Townsend was late last year.
 
One of the junior afl watchers (reporters) Mentioned during the draft period last year that Noah Balta is a genuine 22 position player and can play in any position on the ground
and played mid as a 15 year old
 
turk-d-tiger said:
One of the junior afl watchers (reporters) Mentioned during the draft period last year that Noah Balta is a genuine 22 position player and can play in any position on the ground
and played mid as a 15 year old
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Today they threw him into the ruck in the final quarter and got more involved after a quiet day starting forward. He won the tap outs too.
 
Tony Braxton-Hicks said:
Today they threw him into the ruck in the final quarter and got more involved after a quiet day starting forward. He won the tap outs too.
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I think that is his spot Tony. A bit of a wild brumby is our Noah. Needs to roam free.
 
Same thing happened in big win over Colonwood at VFL level - on their home ground. They threw Balts in the ruck last Q. Just dominated; never lost a HO. At one stage, belted it forward then ran and gathered his own clearance to kick it long forward. Like he brought his own ball at times.

BTW, was hoping to finish with a doubling of their score in the top-of-the-table battle. Closer to tripling.

:clap
 
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