Noah Balta - Does he have the AFL's rarest skill set?

[blaisee]

Balta came through the 2017 draft and he was in the youngest 20% of players in that draft being a late October birthday.

All these players from that draft are entering their prime now, and we are starting to see how good they are.

The key position and ruck players who actually belonged to that draft class by age in order they were drafted were:

Naughton, D Fogarty, Brander, Coleman-Jones, Oscar Allen, Balta, Sam Taylor, Tom DeKoning, Tom McCartin, Petty, Nathan Murphy, Ballard, Jack Payne, Ben Miller, Zerk-Thatcher, Meek, Xerri.

So it looks a very strong draft for key position players. At this stage the clubs that took Naughton, Fogarty, Allen, Balta, Taylor, McCartin in particular would be delighted, but players like Murphy, Payne, Petty, Ballard are really coming through. You would expect a bit to come from some of the others like DeKoning, Coleman-Jones, Zerk, even Meek and Miller yet.

You really do have to give these bigger players some time, and as the current generation of dominant key players wanes, this lot will be amongst those left to dominate over the next 10 or so seasons.

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With the possible exception of naughton , balta is the only one of his draft class that can ruck be kpf and kpd

that’s why he has the afl rarest skill set

 

[GeTrain]

After shitposting about him for years it's only fair that I give him credit when he plays well vs my team. He's been good tonight

 

[bh90210fan]

With the possible exception of naughton , balta is the only one of his draft class that can ruck be kpf and kpd

that’s why he has the afl rarest skill set

Oscar Allen says hi

 

[Gavin Excell]

With the possible exception of naughton , balta is the only one of his draft class that can ruck be kpf and kpd

that’s why he has the afl rarest skill set

Ha ha

 

[nut]

He is at the same age when it finally clicked for Rance… Balta is so far ahead of Rance at the same age.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Don't know about the AFL's rarest skill set meaning he can dominate forward back and ruck. But he does have a pretty rare skill set for a full back. Takes a lot of contested marks and wins a lot of contests out the front door, the most valuable type of contest win. Also a booming kick both feet. At 23 he is really starting to gain confidence in his game.

 

[blitzer]

Don't know about the AFL's rarest skill set meaning he can dominate forward back and ruck. But he does have a pretty rare skill set for a full back. Takes a lot of contested marks and wins a lot of contests out the front door, the most valuable type of contest win. Also a booming kick both feet. At 23 he is really starting to gain confidence in his game.

Yeah not sure about the ruck/fwd play. Kinda reminds me of Jeremy McGovern - sure he can play forward but he's nowhere near as good as he is down back. So people probably got a bit carried away initially as happens with young players.

That said who doesn't like a big strong key defender who can outwrestle his opponent and take contested marks. He's a great defender that you can build a defense around. I'm sure he'll be a multi time AA KPD.

 

[blaisee]

Ha ha

I think the laugh is on you .

 

[Daka]

He has had games this year where his opponent looked on top early & he has fought back well shows he is made of the right stuff.
He can frustrate me a little at times, but he has a hell of a lot of talent good speed for his height to get off his opponent.

 

[joselol]

He does some unbelievable things sometimes that gives glimpses he maybe could be one of the all time greats but too often he follows it up with massive brain fades, bad decisions and turnovers. He is also generally beaten positionally but is so good that his physical attributes help him recover. Am I being harsh saying he's an elite athlete but probably isn't as refined when it comes to game sense/footy IQ?

 

[blaisee]

He does some unbelievable things sometimes that gives glimpses he maybe could be one of the all time greats but too often he follows it up with massive brain fades, bad decisions and turnovers. He is also generally beaten positionally but is so good that his physical attributes help him recover. Am I being harsh saying he's an elite athlete but probably isn't as refined when it comes to game sense/footy IQ?

This is true

Rance was the same

Not saying he will be as good as Rance, but at the same age, Balta is better, heaps better

 

[tiger_tough]

He'll either be the next Rance or the next Frosty.

 

[Danw0w]

Am I being harsh saying he's an elite athlete but probably isn't as refined when it comes to game sense/footy IQ?

Yes

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Lacks game sense and he sure aint in Mensa when it comes to footy IQ.

I see him as a more athletic Plowman.

 

[tigerfan1961]

Lacks game sense and he sure aint in Mensa when it comes to footy IQ.

I see him as a more athletic Plowman.

He’s the most unlike Plowman player there is, awful comparison

 

[My Tilly]

Henry's more versatile and starting to find form having missed half the season.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Henry's more versatile and starting to find form having missed half the season.

28 career hitouts does not put ruck play into Henry's wheelhouse peanut. 23 career goals in 113 games doesn't make him a forward either.

****ing nimrod Geelong supporters always think everything is about Geelong. Probably the worst football club in Geelong, let alone the AFL.

 

[tiger_tough]

Turns out Balta isn't a forwards arseh*le but hes definitely on his way to becoming an elite defender.

Eerily similar path to Rance.

 

[Orange crush]

Delisted at year’s end

 

[My Tilly]

Delisted at year’s end

Balta + Maurice for Himmelberg?

 

[tiger_tough]

5th for contested marks, 4th for intercept possessions. Freak athlete, booming kick, only 23 years old. Sort out the brain farts and he'll be one of if not the the best kpd in the comp in a year or two.

 

[beerbandit]

This thread had some zingers on the first page

 

[Orange crush]

Balta + Maurice for Himmelberg?

We already knocked him back last time…. We’ll take another future first

 

[nut]

Balta + Maurice for Himmelberg?

We don’t pay for free agents

 

[juss]

He's actually a very good player and will only get better. It's a shame this thread does him no favours though.