Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has heaped praised on a “terrific” Noah Balta, comparing him to champion premiership defender Alex Rance.
Balta has played in the last five games of the season and has largely impressed down back.
In Wednesday night’s clash against the Western Bulldogs, he collected 15 touches while directly matched up on Josh Bruce.
Hardwick said the 20-year-old was a crucial cog in Richmond’s side, saying he could only get better as he works on his game.
“I thought he was terrific (against the Dogs), and he’s been very good throughout the year,” Hardwick told reporters post-match.
“He probably had one down game but we think for us to be a very good side, he’s got to play. He’s just going to grow into the role.
“I’m loathe to say it but he does remind me of a young Alex Rance, I look at the way he plays the game…he does some things that only players like him can do and then he’ll make a mistake that only he and Alex could do.
“He’s a prodigious talent and we’re really excited about what he can offer. He’s got a lot of work to go but we think he’s starting to progress nicely.”
Displaying similar athletic traits to Alex Rance, Hardwick likened Balta to the Richmond fan favourite and five-time All-Australian, who retired at the end of the 2019 after playing 200 games for the club.
“Noah has got the capacity to be (like Rance),” he said.
“If he knuckles down and understands and works on his craft, he’s a guy that didn’t really grow up with a lot of footy so he’s starting to learn, understand and watch a lot of tape and I think he’s going to get better as the season goes.
“It’s up to Noah how far he wants to go, he’s certainly got the talent and athletic traits to do it. We’ll just provide the environment that can hopefully get the very best out of him and then Noah makes the call.”