John Noble on chasing a Suns premiership, Gold Coast lifestyle and leaving Collingwood
John Noble knows there’s a world where Collingwood wins another flag while he’s in Suns colours – and he’s made peace with it. He opens up on what’s driving him on the Gold Coast.
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John Noble is aware there is a world where he leaves Collingwood after being overlooked for the 2023 premiership and misses out on another flag.
On Friday night as the Suns get their rare prime time spotlight in his first clash against his old side, the pundits will believe it is Collingwood’s premiership to lose.
Noble is playing career-best football and if anything is outplaying the man who filled his Collingwood defensive spot in ex-Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston.
And yet for Noble, there is no time for second-guessing or ‘what-ifs’.
A player who admitted being dumped on the eve of the 2023 finals series after 83 consecutive games was a huge factor in his move has moved on with an almost religious zeal.
He is a Gold Coast believer.
Not just in this club’s capacity to win a premiership, but the lifestyle away from footy’s bubble that allows him to be John Noble the person, not the footballer.
What would a premiership mean to him?
So much, and yet there is no time to look back at sliding doors moments if he had stayed at Collingwood.
“It would mean the world to me,” Noble said of a first premiership.
“Absolutely everything. That’s why I came here. That’s why I’m trying so hard to help our group push to where we want to go and where I know we can go. I’ve only been here for a short period of time, but you have a few moments in your career that you feel something special, and it certainly something that I felt so far at Gold Coast.
“Certainly it wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but I don’t give those thoughts (about another Pies flag) any sort of oxygen in my thoughts.
“I am focused as a Suns player, I am here to play finals for the Suns, and whatever happens to any other club, I don’t really care to be honest.
“I am more concerned about helping us play finals than any other club winning it. As far as I am concerned, that cup is up for grabs for everyone. So I am doing my best to work with my boys, and hopefully it will be us holding it up.”
You can’t help but notice that expression – “my boys” – which is sprinkled liberally through any discussion with Noble.
He has moved on, adamant the first clash against a team where he played seven finals across 127 games is one filled with excitement instead of trepidation.
The Suns will sell out their home stadium on Friday, although some estimates have Collingwood fans outnumbering Gold Coast locals as they fly north for the school holidays.
As part of the halftime festivities the Nitro Circus will perform motorbike stunts at People First Stadium, with Noble and Tom Berry meeting FMX rider Harry Bink on Wednesday.
The Nitro Circus will return with their Off the Rails show at the venue on November 1, and while this week’s cross-promotion helps attendance, Noble can feel the change with more locals wearing Suns merchandise and recognising players given their impressive 2025 run.
Earlier this year Noble had said that the 2023 exclusion “cut me pretty deep”, but moving north to be closer to extended family with partner Annabel has brought so many unexpected positives.
He agrees with the suggestion he is playing career-best footy – elite for disposals and metres gained – and says the lifestyle has plenty to do with his form at the age of 28.
“I feel really balanced up here. The life you can live here separate to being an athlete is second to none. I have lived in a few states and you can separate yourself as a person from you as an athlete. It’s really hard to do that. It can be all consuming and to get away from that bubble in Melbourne and live a life up here that is separate, you can be John Noble the human being. That’s really important and I have just got a really strong hold on that life and work balance.”
Noble looks at this Friday night contest as the perfect test of the 10-5 Suns’ improvement rather than any type of grudge match.
“No, I’m really excited to be honest. I love the footy that we’re playing,” Noble said.
“We know it stacks up against the best in the competition, and we’ve played some really good footy. I can’t wait to get out there with my boys and give it a red-hot crack against Collingwood. They are a well-oiled machine and they are on top for a reason.”
There is a case to be made that the Suns have footy’s collection of mid to small defenders in football – barnstorming runners Noble and Daniel Rioli, quality defenders Wil Powell and Bodhi Uwland, breakout mid-sizer Joel Jeffrey fresh off 32 disposals.
Next year Uwland’s brother Zeke will join the club as a brilliant left-footed half back and Dylan Patterson will arrive as a Chris Yarran-style lightning ball-carrier who is also linked to the club’s academy.
“It’s super exciting to see some of the talent that’s up here,” Noble said of an academy group with as many as six draft-eligible graduates in November.
“Dylan has obviously been through the academy program, and he’s trained a few times.
“Those players do sort of things that you know they’re going to be special. I would love nothing more than for those boys to be in Suns colours.”
He declines to get involved in the north v south academy spat but confirms the travel burden is real for the Suns.
“There is a stark difference. You are very well looked after in Melbourne being one of the biggest clubs, and obviously they attract the biggest crowds. And from a revenue perspective you can understand that.
“But whether it’s a level playing field or not, it’s up for debate. I’ve travelled more here than I have in two years at Collingwood so it is a pretty big, stark difference. I think it was round 12 and I had only played two games at home so it’s a lot. We want to be playing in front of our fans at our home ground. We want to build it.
“So people complaining about our academy programs, I’m just going to leave it up to other people to discuss that. It’s not my spot to judge on that. But there is a big difference and it can take a big toll if you don’t have a good routine and support around you.”
Nitro Circus show Off The Rails hits the Gold Coast as part of its Aussie tour on November 1. Tickets available at nitrocircus.com.
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