Kevin Bartlett was among the first within the Richmond and football fraternity to notice that Noah Balta had received the same match ban of four games as GWS player Josh Fahey, who performed a nude and lewd re-enactment with a blow-up doll in the notorious wacky Wednesday party last year.

Fahey’s suspension was warranted, and the AFL took a relatively tough stance. But the Giant’s offensive sketch was hardly in the same league as Balta’s real-life assault that could have caused serious injury.

Noah Balta has been sentenced to a three-month curfew.Credit: Nine

Unlike the Fahey case, Balta’s footage also has been in full public view for premiers and pundits to judge.

The magistrate in the Albury Local Court has effectively doubled Balta’s suspension, by imposing the unforseen condition of a 10pm to 6am curfew on the Richmond player. Having wisely chosen not to appeal the verdict, Balta is facing the loss of at least a further four matches.

Whether intentional or incidental, the magistrate, Melissa Humphreys, has exposed and embarrassed the AFL, in particular, for failing to read the play in terms of community sentiment on the Balta case.

The AFL will be relieved that there’s no appeal, and it is also clearly in Richmond’s interests to avoid further drama and brand damage by fighting them on the........

© Brisbane Times