AFL 2025: Gold Coast Suns recruit John Noble opens up on his move north after leaving Collingwood
Ex-Collingwood player John Noble has opened up what appealed to him about the Gold Coast Suns and why he believes the club is set for a AFL premiership tilt. More here.
A crop of “insane” young talent and a belief that success is on the horizon are among the reasons wantaway Collingwood player John Noble has landed at the Gold Coast Suns ahead of the 2025 AFL season.
Noble was also enticed by the prospect of working with three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick, who is going into his second year at the Suns.
“When I met with him early in the year it was very positive, I loved his philosophy and his thoughts on the game,” Noble said.
“He’s done an amazing job in his first year at Gold Coast. Even when I was making the decision with my partner and family and watching Gold Coast with more intent, it was really awesome to see how hungry they were to go after it and making our home ground a fortress for the club and our supporters.
“I’m just really excited to be a part of it.”
The 27-year-old is one of the mid-season draft’s success stories, with his 112 games with Collingwood the most of any mid-season draftee after he was taken with the second-last pick in 2019.
The Suns secured Noble’s services in a three-club, five-player trade that saw both Jack Lukosius and Rory Laird depart the club.
About to embark on their 15th season, success has continued to elude the Suns, with their AFL outfit yet to qualify for the finals, but Noble is of the belief that that is about to change.
His words aren’t hollow, for this is a player whose relationship with Collingwood became strained following the toll his snubbing from the 2023 finals campaign took on him.
“I wouldn’t be coming here if I didn’t think the club was in a position to play finals and push for a premiership,” Noble said.
“That’s certainly why I’m coming up to help as well. The club’s in an amazing position … 2025’s going to be exciting.
“After speaking to ‘Dimma’ and following the club more closely the young talent’s insane in my opinion, to play hungry footy the way they did this year and not playing finals was unlucky.
“They played enormous footy throughout the back end of the year and for me coming in I can’t wait to be a part of that and push us to play finals.”
The move north was also a personal one, with Noble’s family based on the Gold Coast in Tamborine, and its where he had been spending most of his time in the off-seasons.
“Family’s my number one in my life,” he said.
“They’ve been huge supporters of me throughout my career, and being up here with them is really special.”
Originally published as AFL 2025: Gold Coast Suns recruit John Noble opens up on his move north after leaving Collingwood
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