David Noble sacked as North Melbourne coach after rumours swirl

North Melbourne coach David Noble is reportedly parting ways with the Kangaroos after a horrid time in charge of the struggling club.

David Noble is gone as coach. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

David Noble is gone as North Melbourne coach.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported on Tuesday morning the struggling Kangaroos had made a decision on Noble’s future as part of a review into their football operations, and he will part ways with the club immediately.

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“A decision has been made on David Noble by North Melbourne and he will be stepping down as coach,” Edmund told SEN Breakfast.

“I’m told an announcement will be made today.

“He told colleagues and people he knows and trusts last night that he would be departing as coach. The word has since got out.

“David Noble — a short, unfortunately for him — coaching career at North Melbourne, taking over in 2021.

“The run of results as we know of 14 consecutive losses, an average of 10 goals in those losses. There have been concerns about not just his coaching methods but his demeanour.”

Leigh Adams will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the year.

The Kangaroos are anchored to the bottom of the ladder, managing just one win from 16 games this year.

Noble took over as coach in 2021, where the Roos claimed the wooden spoon, and the year before in 2020 they finished second-last.

The 55-year-old has been in charge for 38 games, winning just five of them.

“I gave my absolute heart and soul to the club, and I think I leave it in a better position for success in the future,” Noble told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday morning.

“We all walk away comfortable that this is the right call for myself, my family and the club.

“I would have liked to have brought more success. I always worked in the club’s best interest, but ultimately the scoreboard doesn’t lie.

“We have a loyal and passionate group of supporters, the envy of the competition. It might not be the biggest but it’s a fiercely loyal group.

“To the players, I believe in each and every one of you, and see the work you’re putting in. It will turn.

“Continue to work closely with each other, your coaches and the staff and I know it will turn.”

David Noble has been under pressure all year. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Noble explained that telling his playing group of the decision was “one of the hardest things” he’s done, revealing some of the athletes were in tears.

When asked if 38 games was an appropriate amount of time to judge a coach, Noble replied: “Probably not. Not in my experience.”

Noble took over from Rhyce Shaw but has been under pressure for much of his tenure as the Kangaroos slumped from one loss to the next.

Defeat to Collingwood on Saturday — after blowing a 26-point lead — was another nail in the coffin, even as Noble spoke afterwards about wanting to continue as coach.

“I believe in what I’m doing. I believe in the group that we’ve got,” he said.

“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’s what we’re pursuing.”

However, Noble won’t be given the chance to turn things around at Arden St.

Noble hasn’t been given the chance to see out the season. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Rumours swirled before axing

The writing has been on the wall for Noble since it was revealed the Kangaroos had brought in long-time football administrator Geoff Walsh to help conduct a review of the club’s football department — the same man responsible for the review that led to Carlton sacking David Teague in 2021.

Veteran reporter Caroline Wilson suggested late last month the review was in fact a “hit job” on Noble.

“I don’t think David Noble will survive the season,” Wilson told Footy Classified at the time.

“I don’t think he was aware Geoff Walsh was coming in until shortly before (the decision was made).

“They’re not calling it a review, but it’s completely a review. It’s a hit job and it’s not just aimed at the coach, clearly.”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph told Fox Footy’s On The Couch last month Walsh’s review could be the “evidence” North needed to “move your coach on”.

“It’s been described as a top-to-bottom review of the footy department,” Ralph said.

“The expectation is clearly that David Noble is very unlikely to survive.

“There is so many issues there, but they are basically hiding in plain sight – game plan, morale, development.

“Carlton will tell you they brought in Geoff Walsh last year for their review and anyone who knows anything about it knows that decision was made a long time before to remove David Teague. Probably something similar here.”

Reports have surfaced this year about unrest in the dressing room. Noble reportedly apologised to “shell-shocked” players after a fearsome spray when the Kangaroos were belted in Round 3, while there is uncertainty surrounding the future of No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis amid suggestions he isn’t happy at the club.

AFL great reacts to huge call

Noble’s future was in jeopardy for a while. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes reacted to Noble’s departure on radio, saying he shouldn’t shoulder all of the blame for the position the club finds itself in.

“It’s a big story, and you wondered whether the performance over the weekend (against Collingwood) would have bought him some time, many had speculated this would be the result this was going to happen,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“I’ve certainly got some sympathy for him and the club needs to work out how they’re going to right the ship because it’s not just gong to be the coach, there’s some other major issues there that need to be sorted, clearly.

“Before the review is even concluded they’ve decided to axe the coach.

“What a mess this club is in. His record was 5-32, no coach is really going to survive that, but the three recruiters that walked out mid-season and what happens to Ben Amarfio the CEO and those that were so adamant David Noble was the man to coach?

“North Melbourne have had a rough time. They seem about as low as any club has been recently. Things can turn pretty quickly and it’s just about getting key people in those key roles.

“We’ve all played footy for long enough and been involved in poor footy clubs and the only thing that turns it around is good people in those roles that get the players along for the ride and it’s not just the coach.

“The list management has been a mess, we’ve known that all year, the support around the coach is really important, the fitness staff, the leadership, all of that they need to address, not just the coach.

“(Geoff Walsh’s) review is not even finished. Clearly, the minute they decided to bring Geoff Walsh in, (Noble) was gone.”

38 games for David Noble, but only one trade/FA period because he started so late in 2020. Most coaches get at least two Octobers to help shape the list.

— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) July 12, 2022