Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says David Noble deserves time to fix problems at North Melbourne
Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew believes David Noble can lift the struggling Kangaroos if given the time.
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Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew says embattled North Melbourne coach David Noble is “on track” to turn around the Kangaroos’ fortunes but that time and patience will be needed.
In his second season in charge of the Kangaroos, Noble is under pressure, with North Melbourne having lost 10 out of 11.
Reports of player discontent, as well as the departures of three of the club’s recruiting staff, including head of player personnel Glenn Luff, haven’t helped Noble’s cause.
And while Dew – who is in his fifth season at a Gold Coast club yet to play finals football – is keen to add to Noble’s problems by guiding the Suns to a win over the Kangaroos on Saturday in Darwin, he predicted a bright long-term future for his coaching rival.
“David’s been around long enough and hearing the words that he’s saying, he’s on track in the right areas ... in trying to build a footy club,” Dew said.
“Externally, people just have to understand that when you go through these things, it takes time.
“Synergy’s a big thing. Commitment over a longer period than 12 to 18 months, to be fair (is needed),
“We’ve been cracking away for a number of years now and we feel like we’ve been on the right track for the whole time, and I’m in my fifth year, so it does take time, particularly when you’ve got a young, developing list.
“I don’t need to give ‘Nobes’ advice. He knows what he’s doing.
“Patience is the word, and they’ll get to work, which is what they’ve been doing.
“We’ll prepare for their best as well ... anyone can beat anyone.”
Dew said his Suns side – currently on 20 points and just one win outside the top eight – had matured.
“Now they’re starting to understand where each other are in space, what they do under pressure, who they need to support, and who are the key drivers,” he said.
“I feel like we’re still building and we’ve just got to keep our foot on the throat really and hit this Saturday afternoon with everything we can.
“We’ll just keep our focus on what’s in front of us in the short term.”
Dew welcomed Saturday’s predicted forecast of more than 30 degrees.
“The hotter the better as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
“We train in it, we’re used to it. The surface (at TIO Stadium) is fantastic (too).”
Originally published as Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says David Noble deserves time to fix problems at North Melbourne
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