Suspended Richmond utility Noah Balta will reportedly return following a four-game suspension to start his 2025 AFL campaign, making his season debut before his sentencing in a fortnight's time.
Balta was suspended for four matches plus the Tigers' two pre-season games after assaulting a man in December last year, leading to a police investigation and now a still-ongoing trial for his sentencing in court.
Balta faced the courts in Corowa on March 27, but his sentencing was subsequently adjourned until April 22, two weeks after his AFL ban is lifted, as the magistrates needed more time to come to their decision on his penalty.
It leaves Richmond in an unprecedented position on whether to play their star defender, who is facing potential jail time for his actions.
Richmond coach Adem Yze said the club will make a "measured decision" during the week to decide if Balta will be selected in Gather Round.
"Well, he hasn't played a game yet," Yze said.
"His training loads will probably warrant that he will be (available) but we're just going to wait and see.
"We'll have selection later in the week, and see what the balance of our team looks like. Jacob Blight went forward today, and helped out with our second ruck, and he did that pretty well.
"We'll just have a really measured decision, but it's good to have him available."
Fresh reports suggests that the 25-year-old will in fact be selected to play, with appropriate match fitness and a Richmond VFL bye inclining the Tigers to call Balta back into the best 22.
"I've spoken to the Richmond football club tonight and they have said there is nothing that stands in his way," journalist Sam McClure told Footy Classified.
"There's no VFL game, so as they go over to Gather Round they have a main training session on Thursday morning, they then fly to Adelaide on Friday.
"And as it stands, Noah Balta will be selected to play against Fremantle on Saturday.
"That is amazing given that the courts are yet to decide his punishment."
The Tigers play Fremantle in Gather Round before hosting Gold Coast in Round 6, three days prior to Balta's hearing for his incident in Mulwala, providing Balta the opportunity to play at least two games before his sentencing.
