Nope, some people wanted him forward. He’s played his best footy this year being left down back.
And he’s getting better, so much better in attacking the ball in the air. Interceptor of the highest order.
Can’t wait to see how good he ends up.
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Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland
- Thread starter RICHO_12
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And he’s getting better, so much better in attacking the ball in the air. Interceptor of the highest order.
Can’t wait to see how good he ends up.
No, I posted something but I was in the wrong thread, thought I was in the Jack Ross one.
Noah Balta is the League's intercept mark king
Noah Balta had a few years where he was constantly thrown from one end of the field to the other, but he has well and truly been settled in the backline this season. He'll turn 24 in October and is just starting to enter his prime as a key tall, but he is already averaging 15.4 disposals and 4.2 intercept marks a match, with his previous best being 13.1 and 2.5 in 2021. That intercept mark count is the highest in the League, ahead of Darcy Moore, Charlie Ballard, Harris Andrews and Sam Taylor. While he'll have to see off some stiff competition to earn an All-Australian position, could a spot in the squad be on the cards?
– Sarah Black
https://www.afl.com.au/news/982238/nine-things-we-learned-jamie-elliott-has-ice-in-his-veins
Noah Balta had a few years where he was constantly thrown from one end of the field to the other, but he has well and truly been settled in the backline this season. He'll turn 24 in October and is just starting to enter his prime as a key tall, but he is already averaging 15.4 disposals and 4.2 intercept marks a match, with his previous best being 13.1 and 2.5 in 2021. That intercept mark count is the highest in the League, ahead of Darcy Moore, Charlie Ballard, Harris Andrews and Sam Taylor. While he'll have to see off some stiff competition to earn an All-Australian position, could a spot in the squad be on the cards?
– Sarah Black
https://www.afl.com.au/news/982238/nine-things-we-learned-jamie-elliott-has-ice-in-his-veins
Perfect summary.
His wingspan and leap is crazy. Man amongst men who he treats like boys. You think he has no business touching it and he just marks it.
If his stats are double the competition then he might make the squad, then he'll lose out to a Geelong player for the final team.
Can understand the continual comparisons but Rance reeled in the errors pretty early in the piece. Balta still making howlers. And Rance was much more agile and muych better at reading the play. Noah better in the air. Rance was more of a blanket defensively yet in his prime could almost cover 3 opposition players at once.
Love watching Balta and he is unique but he isn't even the best KPD in the game right now whereas Rance definitely was and for a number of years.
Balta is a true swingman though. He can ruck play forward and even wouldnt put it past him for stints in the middle.
Hardwick made his "Alex Rance moments" comment in 2014, so Rance was still making silly mistakes then. 7 years after being drafted. Balta was drafted 6 years ago.
Rance was AA for the 1st time in 2014, again Balta will be the same age next year.
I can see how that would be the perception, but not sure if it would stand up to scrutiny if comparing at the same age as brodders said. Maybe comparing peak Rancey to pre-peak Balta? Its fair enough in one sense, what are the chances of another Rance? My own perception is they are pretty similar on the high risk/ high reward playing style and penetration v clanger count.
Seems even the coach & AA selectors were too slow to recognise rancelots talent. They caught on eventually. In 2014 Dimma was still a dud!
I was leading the charge, pleading with people to stop comparing Balta to the #18 super star.
Couldn’t see it. Didn’t think he wanted it bad enough. Regardless of how long it took Rance to find his feet, I just couldn’t see another player coming along and stepping it up like he did. Miracles are only supposed to happen once in your lifetime.
But something has definitely shifted with Balta. Previously he scrambled for everything. Looked hesitant and often ball watched.
His movements are now so assured. Aggressive, confident, dynamic and playing with a plan.
And you can see a maturity in him that is growing by the week.
I used to go to games specifically to watch Rance. Imagine going to watch a fullback play? Unheard of.
I’m now so enthralled in Balta. Cannot wait for his next contest.
Couldn’t see it. Didn’t think he wanted it bad enough. Regardless of how long it took Rance to find his feet, I just couldn’t see another player coming along and stepping it up like he did. Miracles are only supposed to happen once in your lifetime.
But something has definitely shifted with Balta. Previously he scrambled for everything. Looked hesitant and often ball watched.
His movements are now so assured. Aggressive, confident, dynamic and playing with a plan.
And you can see a maturity in him that is growing by the week.
I used to go to games specifically to watch Rance. Imagine going to watch a fullback play? Unheard of.
I’m now so enthralled in Balta. Cannot wait for his next contest.
Rance is one of those stars that burned bright, but brief. He’s only 33 years old!
