RICHMOND defender Noah Balta has apologised to his victim after he was handed a night-time curfew and an alcohol ban as part of his punishment for assaulting a man outside a regional venue.

Balta was sentenced at Albury Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to repeatedly punching Thomas Washbrook, 27, outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club, in the NSW Riverina, on December 30.

The 25-year-old was fined $3000, given an 18-month community corrections order and assigned a curfew, restricting him to his home address between 10pm and 6am until July.

He was expressionless as he walked through the media pack and into a nearby SUV more than two hours after his sentencing.

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Balta said he has "learned that violence is never the answer".

"I apologise to the victim, my family and friends, and everyone associated with the Richmond Football Club," Balta said.

"I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer.

"I will continue to work to improve myself to ensure this never happens again."

The curfew means Balta will miss this Thursday night's Anzac Day Eve game against Melbourne and also the Dreamtime at the 'G clash against Essendon on the Friday night of round 11. The Tigers also have a night match in the VFL that weekend.

Balta will also miss the round 12 twilight game against Greater Western Sydney at Engie Stadium given it involves travel to and from Sydney.

Richmond's other scheduled games in the next eight weeks are all day games in Melbourne.

The schedule beyond round 15, which will overlap with Balta's punishment, has not yet been finalised by the AFL.

A trip to Perth to face West Coast in round 19, less than three months from today, would also be off the table given the curfew.

The AFL said it would take no further action, acknowledging the sentence will mean Balta - who was banned for the first for games of the premiership season - will miss some more games in the coming months.

"His actions on that night are something we never wish to see in any setting, by anyone, at any time," the League said in a statement.

"Balta's conduct could have resulted in a much more serious outcome, his actions do not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community and he must continue to take responsibility for them.

"Prior to court sentencing, Richmond, in consultation with the AFL, suspended Balta and he was not eligible to play in the club's two pre-season matches as well as the first four weeks of the AFL season. The sentence imposed by the Court today will also impact his participation in some of Richmond’s upcoming matches due to his court enforced curfew.

READ MORE AFL statement on Noah Balta

"Balta will also continue to undertake a behavioural change program.

"The AFL will take no further action in addition to the already served suspension and impact on his participation in future matches."

Richmond, who welcomed Balta back to its AFL side on Saturday night, said its player had paid "a significant price".

"Noah has been held accountable for his actions and has paid a significant price as he should," Tigers CEO Shane Dunne said.

"This club does not condone violence in any form, and it is why we took such a strong and immediate stand when this incident came to light.

"Noah has worked hard to improve himself in the months following the incident, undertaking education and counselling. That work will continue.

"With the judicial process now concluded, it remains our collective expectation that Noah learns from this, and we see the best version of him going forward."

On the night of the assault, Mr Washbrook had been waiting for a courtesy bus outside the club when he tried to defuse an altercation between another man and Balta's younger brother, Oskar.

As Balta exited the venue, he saw Mr Washbrook touch his brother in an attempt to calm him, but misinterpreted the gesture and rushed in to defend him, the court was told.

The 2020 premiership player had been on a pub crawl from 1.30pm on the day of the assault.

CCTV footage shown to the court showed Balta shoulder charge the victim before punching him several times in the head.

Balta punched Mr Washbrook several more times as his brother held the victim down.

The victim suffered a three-centimetre cut to his forehead, which bled profusely during the attack and was later treated in hospital for a suspected rib fracture.

Balta turned himself in to police two days later on New Year's Day.

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment in NSW.

Balta must abstain from alcohol for the duration of his community corrections order.

The premiership defender has also paid Mr Washbrook $45,000 in compensation, the court was told.

In sentencing Balta, Magistrate Melissa Humphreys said the attack was at the higher end of the medium threshold but disagreed with the prosecution about the victim's risk of death.

"While more serious harm was a possibility, I cannot be satisfied to a high standard beyond a reasonable doubt that death was highly probable," she told the court.

Ms Humphreys said Balta had admitted his actions were "misguided and disproportionate" and his judgment had been "severely marred by his level of intoxication".

Sanctions, including a six-match ban including two pre-season games, had not adequately punished Balta for his actions, she said.

"Alcohol-fuelled violence must be denounced," Ms Humphreys said.

Balta's age, lack of prior convictions and his expression of genuine remorse was taken into account in the sentence.

The footballer had also completed an anger management program and had a range of shining character references which described the incident as "out of character" for the "gentle giant".

Balta will be banned from the Mulwala Water Ski Club for the duration of the community corrections order.

Richmond's games in the next three months

R7 v Melbourne at the MCG, 7.30pm
R8 v Hawthorn at the MCG, 3.20pm
R9 v West Coast at the MCG, 1.10pm
R10 v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.10pm
R11 v Essendon at the MCG, 7.40pm
R12 v Greater Western Sydney at Engie Stadium, 4.15pm
R13 v Sydney at the MCG, 1.20pm
R15 v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 3.20pm
R16 v Adelaide at the MCG, date and time TBC
R17 v Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, date and time TBC
R18 v Essendon at the MCG, date and time TBC
R19 v West Coast at Optus Stadium, date and time TBC