Premier Jacinta Allan joins calls for Noah Balta to sit out until sentencing

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says Richmond’s Noah Balta should not be allowed to play as he awaits sentencing for what she called a “sickening attack” on a man in Mulwala in December.

Balta, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club, and he is due to be sentenced on April 22. He could yet face jail time.

Allan made her view clear when asked if she thought it was appropriate Balta was allowed to return to play before his sentencing.

“How do we explain to kids, particularly, how do we answer that question? How does the AFL and the Richmond Football Club answer that question, about what’s going on here?” Allan said on Thursday.

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