Not rubbish, he was completely outclassed after quarter time. Not to be unexpected though, he's not a natural forward and he's had very little experience in the position. And it's a very tough position as the primary tall.
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Noah Balta - Welcome to Tigerland
- Thread starter RICHO_12
- Start date
He trained as a forward most of pre season prior to 2022 season. He started up forward in 2022 as a result. Kicked 8 goals in the first 3 games and then started to struggle up forward. Ended up playing back from about round 6 or 7 from memory for the rest of the year.
I think throwing him forward at stages can work. But training as a forward for pre season is a recipe for disaster IMO as I think he's better back. In saying that he got toweled up a few times later in the season as a defender so *smile* knows what to do with him. I would consider trading him TBH.
Not outclassed. It looked to me like he was told to play a defensive role, and he tried to follow those instructions. Both are strong and it was messy.
Preventing Allir from taking a role in getting the ball out with the same accuracy that he usually does.
The ball spent much more time in our forward line because of Noah’s efforts.
Only had 5 pressure acts and 1 tackle. Doesn't really equate with what you're saying or what I saw. I assume he moved forward to be our primary key forward in which case you need to be more attack focused. 4 disposals, 2 marks in the 2nd half not great at all. Good first quarter. Again, can't expect too much from him with lack of experience as a forward. But he was well beaten.
To me it's a bit of a shame that we're in a position where we had to resort to putting our best intercept and intercept mark player (and possibly best in the league this year) forward because we have no-one else.
I disagree concerning Noah’s performance on Sunday. He didn’t beat Allier but he competed hard, which we havn’t had all season.
As far as his selection as a forward is concerned, it was the only solution. The shame is that it came so late.
Jack started the year with many including I suspect himself, believing that he was extending his contract only so that he could provide some support to Lynch who was to continue to be the key player in our forward line. By the end of last season ie 22, Jack was a shadow of his former self and there were plenty who felt that he should not go on. (Not me.. I felt he should go on).
Great player, but athletically he was done.
The result was that when Lynch went down he was pushed into playing a role, which was then beyond him.
We had to have at least one key forward who was athletically capable of competing. The best and only KPP on our list, who was potentially able to provide that presence as a forward, was Noah. We disagree but as I see it the shame is that he wasn’t sent forward much much earlier. With the consequences of that decision leading to failure across all lines…
We are now in a rebuild, and we know Himmelburg isn’t coming. I think Mini’s solution will be our starting point in 24. And even when Lynch returns that Balta will stay forward…
Hoping we can engineer a purchase of GC pick 4. And by the time we get to use it KPD Curtin, from WA, will still be available.
Very little to no chance of that happening. GC's pick will most likely extend out to #6, possibly even #7 if Norf happen to steal an NGA spot for Sanders.
Agree Balta should have moved fwd after Lynch got injured and we should have settled with Miller and Young as key backs. Nank Soldo and Ryan as ruck combos.
Yes. Probably right .. a lot would have to go right for us to get him. Pitty .. from what little I have seen he looks to be a great prospect, and exactly what we need.
At 24 yrs of age Balta should be right in the sweet spot to start playing his best footy.
Yes we know his best is absolutely great but he's also been prone to inconsistency to this point of his career. There's been plenty of Balta moments along the journey so far too (apologies for the Rance comparison).
That's fine. Despite being a Premiership player, he's still been a developing one. Inconsistencies are forgivable in youth.
I'm actually coming around to the idea of playing him forward because I think it puts a bit more responsibility on his maturing shoulders to start being a key player for our footy club.
With snr premiership vets departing or near the end we need our next gen of talent in Balta (Bolton too) need to keep improving & become truly great players in their own right.
Noah has shown his best is great. His next step will be to show it consistently.
His value as a player goes up markedly if he can be effective as a tall forward. Especially for us.. with Lynch closer to the end than his best.
So here's hoping Noah Balta goes up a level. He's certainly got the talent but I'm a bit over the raw bit.
For better or worse I'm quite excited to see what he brings under Yze in 2024. Key piece of the puzzle.
Yes we know his best is absolutely great but he's also been prone to inconsistency to this point of his career. There's been plenty of Balta moments along the journey so far too (apologies for the Rance comparison).
That's fine. Despite being a Premiership player, he's still been a developing one. Inconsistencies are forgivable in youth.
I'm actually coming around to the idea of playing him forward because I think it puts a bit more responsibility on his maturing shoulders to start being a key player for our footy club.
With snr premiership vets departing or near the end we need our next gen of talent in Balta (Bolton too) need to keep improving & become truly great players in their own right.
Noah has shown his best is great. His next step will be to show it consistently.
His value as a player goes up markedly if he can be effective as a tall forward. Especially for us.. with Lynch closer to the end than his best.
So here's hoping Noah Balta goes up a level. He's certainly got the talent but I'm a bit over the raw bit.
For better or worse I'm quite excited to see what he brings under Yze in 2024. Key piece of the puzzle.
Hmm not a great start but must persevere a bit.
FWIW Balta himself has said he prefers to play in defence.
Fingers crossed Lynch makes a swift recovery.
FWIW Balta himself has said he prefers to play in defence.
Fingers crossed Lynch makes a swift recovery.
Hope he can do the job as a forward
Prefer Balta as CHB taking intercepting marks and kicking it over the square into our F50
I think he lacks the ego to be a key forward. The best forwards want to be the man, they want to kick the goal and win the accolades.
Can't remember a gun forward that didn't have a certain strut and presence. Confidence.
I suppose we just need Balta to provide a contest and some aerial competitiveness. But I struggle to see a gun forward emerging. I can see a gun back in him though.
Can't remember a gun forward that didn't have a certain strut and presence. Confidence.
I suppose we just need Balta to provide a contest and some aerial competitiveness. But I struggle to see a gun forward emerging. I can see a gun back in him though.
Fair comment FFW. Balta is a brilliant player and is fast and strong. Our best athlete to play forward since Richo. As before predicting a 45-55 + goal year for him. And will give plenty more away as he did on Sunday.
Koschitzke was also pretty good though not in Noah's league. He may struggle to keep his spot after Lynchy returns
After 20 minutes we were 5 goals down and we had our potential AA defender sitting in the forwardline without a touch.
Then he took a mark about 50 out. After thinking about it for a while he played on, did some laps of an ant hill in front of him then tried to kick it 10 metres with the outside of his boot. He succeeded in kicking it straight to his opponent on the mark. (very Richoesque!)
Then he played 3 quarters of great KPF football. (again very Richoesque!)
Promising signs I reckon that he can follow in the footsteps of our last dominant KPD who made a successful transition to the forwardline about 15 years ago.
I did have an extremely bad feeling in my gut when he lined up Stevie J style and was stuttering Harry M style!
If they stick with him, I reckon we're in for a wild ride..... equal parts exciting and terrifying!
He’ll need to roam far and wide when the head honcho arrives.
Can he stay out of Lynch’s way or are we going to have another Richo/Shultz scenario?
Can he stay out of Lynch’s way or are we going to have another Richo/Shultz scenario?
Gibcus back in defence making the Balta experiment a lot more appealing. Gibcus' intercept marking a key to this working.
Thought the Kosi combo worked pretty well. An insight into Lynch coming back.
2 hitouts in & the ledger has swung positively for Noah up front.
Want to see more during season proper before completely sold.
Thought the Kosi combo worked pretty well. An insight into Lynch coming back.
2 hitouts in & the ledger has swung positively for Noah up front.
Want to see more during season proper before completely sold.
