Sheer luck saved a man from death at the hands of AFL star Noah Balta, a court has been told.
The Richmond Tigers defender has pleaded guilty to an assault in Mulwala in the NSW Riverina on December 30 that left Thomas Washbrook, 27, in hospital with a head injury.
Mr Washbrook, who was shoulder-charged and punched repeatedly during the alleged assault, could have been killed, prosecutor Jason Tozer told the Corowa Local Court.
"Your Honour can see he becomes fully airborne and travels a metre or a metre-and-a-half," Sergeant Tozer said, referring to CCTV footage shown in court.
"It is only sheer luck his head did not make contact with that concrete."
Balta, 25, pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which in NSW attracts a maximum penalty of five years in jail.
Mr Washbrook was waiting for a courtesy bus at Mulwala Water Ski Club when an altercation began between him and Balta's younger brother, Oskar.
The CCTV footage shows Balta run out of the club and shoulder-charge Mr Washbrook, knocking him to the ground.
Court documents state the AFL star punched Mr Washbrook's head two to three times and assisted his brother by holding the man down.
Balta punched Mr Washbrook twice more in the head before he was pulled away from the victim, who was bleeding from a 3cm head wound.
Mr Washbrook was treated in hospital that night and Balta turned himself in to police two days later, on New Year's Day.
The AFL star gave a "no-comment" interview on the day but later admitted the assault and pleaded guilty to the single charge on January 30.
Balta's defence admitted the incident was serious but argued the assault was at the higher-end of a mid-level offence.
The prosecution argued the attack met the threshold of a high-level offence.
Character references for the AFL star described Balta as "a kind, caring gentle giant," defence lawyer Belinda Franjic said.
"It’s quite clear this offence is completely and utterly out of character for Mr Balta," she told the court.
Balta had admitted drinking a significant amount of alcohol, had been on a pub crawl since 1.30pm on the day of the attack and had reacted to seeing his younger brother in a confrontation, the court was told.
The player had shown genuine remorse for his actions and had sought professional help, including courses, to address the behaviour that led to the incident, Ms Franjic said.
The AFL star had quickly admitted the assault and pleaded guilty, although he initially told police he had only punched the victim three or four times.
"That might not have been completely accurate," his barrister said.
The prosecution slammed the four-match ban from Richmond that was sanctioned by the AFL.
"The action taken by the club is so minimal as to be irrelevant," Sgt Tozer said.
"The court must send a message to the community that this type of conduct is unacceptable no matter who you are."
Balta is due to be sentenced on April 22.
