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AFL world reacts to David Noble bombshell: 'Poisoned chalice'

chris young
Sports Reporter
·5-min read
David Noble is pictured walking off the ground during an AFL match.
The AFL world has shown sympathy for David Noble, after he stepped down as coach of North Melbourne on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

After 14 consecutive AFL losses, North Melbourne has done the inevitable and parted ways with head coach David Noble.

Last weekend's loss to Collingwood reportedly prompted a series of meetings between club and coach on Monday, with Noble agreeing to step down as a result.

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The Kangaroos and Noble are yet to comment publicly and are expected to do so later on Tuesday.

Assistant coach Leigh Adams will take over as coach for the remaining six games of the AFL season.

While his demise was not neccessarily a shock in the AFL world, many fans and observers felt Noble, who took over as coach of the Kangaroos ahead of the 2021 season, had his worl cut out for him at the underperforming club.

It had been reported by Channel 7's Tom Browne that a win over Collingwood last weekend was the only thing that might save Noble's job, a miracle that didn't eventuate.

Noble joined the club after impressive stints as head of football at Brisbane, where he helped revitalise their finals fortunes, as well as assistant coach for the Adelaide Crows prior to that.

However with just five wins from 38 games with North Melbourne, the writing was on the wall as the club careens towards a second wooden spoon in as many seasons.

Noble's departure means the Kangaroos will be looking to appoint their fifth coach in the last four years.

Many fans took to Twitter after the news broke reacting to Noble's sacking, with many considering him hard done by.

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Noble's tenure was increasingly insecure given the string of poor results and the pressure intensified when North brought in former administrator Geoff Walsh to review the football department late last month.

But Noble remained steadfast that he was the man for the job despite a widespread expectation that he would be removed.

"I believe in what I'm doing. I believe in the group that we have got," Noble said after Saturday's loss to Collingwood.

"We're resolute on where the direction needs to go.

"If there's feedback for me as an individual to get better, I'm all for improving as a coach.

"But having been around the block, I think I've got a clear idea as to what needs to happen and that is what we're pursuing."

David Noble gives instructions to the Kangaroos during a huddle.
After five wins from 38 AFL games as head coach, David Noble is stepping down as North Melbourne coach. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With Noble departing, the Kangaroos are certain to sound out four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, who played for the Roos.

Clarkson, taking a year away from coaching, has spoken to GWS about taking on their vacant head coaching job from next season but is yet to signal his intentions.

Noble said he felt a mixture of disappointment and pride that North rallied so impressively from last week's 112-point mauling from Geelong, only to be overrun in the last term.

It is similar to round four, when they rebounded from a 108-point loss to Brisbane and narrowly lost to Sydney.

But they lost their next 11 games by 40 points or more - an AFL record - and one which likely cost Noble his job.

With AAP

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