Richmond star Noah Balta arrested and charged with assault after late-night incident
Richmond premiership star Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an alleged late-night incident in New South Wales.
Police were called to a sports club in Mulwala, near the border of Victoria and New South Wales, about 12.30am on Monday night.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Balta charged with assault.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed details of the incident that ended up with another man taken to hospital.
“NSW Police have just confirmed that Balta has been charged with assault over an alleged incident that led to another male being taken to hospital for a laceration to his head,” Cleary said.
“Balta then handed himself into police at the Mulwala Police station just before lunchtime on Tuesday.
“It’s understood Balta had been preparing to celebrate the New Year with family and friends.
“He has been given a conditional bail - to appear before Corowa Local Court on January 30 - right in the middle of the Tigers pre-season training.”
Police confirmed the victim was taken to hospital with a laceration to his head.
Richmond made the AFL aware of the incident, but will make no further comment.
The AFL’s integrity unit have been made aware of the incident and are expected to conduct their own investigation, but will leave in hands of police for now.
The incident comes just a few months after Balta signed a massive seven-year contract extension that locks him in at Richmond until the end of 2032.
The swingman, who has played 104 career games, including the 2020 premiership, is a crucial cog of the Tigers’ rebuild.
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