Kangaroos recruitment duo lead exodus amid ‘disturbing’ report

North Melbourne’s disastrous season has just got worse after the latest move following the bombshell report that Roos stars were souring on coach David Noble.

Kangaroos before their round 10 clash against the Demons. Photo by Mike Owen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

North Melbourne have farewelled two key recruiters while a third is reportedly also on the way out after a bombshell report claimed the relationship between coach David Noble and his players are deteriorating.

A 47-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday night leaves the Kangaroos languishing in 17th with just one win from 10 games in 2022.

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Now list boss Glenn Luff and national recruiting manager Mark Finnigan have reportedly resigned, while SEN’s Sam Edmund reported that national recruiting officer Ben Birthisel has also followed suit.

North Melbourne have just been hit by a triple walkout in their recruiting department. I understand Mark Finnigan, Glenn Luff and Ben Birthisel all handed in their resignations today - frustrated at the club over its management.

— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) May 24, 2022

Finnigan, who had been at Arden Street for 17 years, has reportedly joined Hawthorn, while the Roos said Luff is leaving “to pursue new opportunities”. Birthisel was not mentioned in the statement.

“Mark and Glenn have both been valued contributors to the North Melbourne Football Club and we wish them the very best in their future endeavours,” North Melbourne’s general manager football talent Brady Rawlings said via a club statement.

“Mark and Glenn have worked passionately and tirelessly for the club and we thank them for their work.

“The team’s planning and preparation around the mid-season draft has been very thorough and will hold us in good stead as we look towards next week.

“We will begin the process of replacing the now vacant roles in our recruiting and list management team over the coming months.”

David Noble addressing his side. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It comes after veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson told Footy Classified on Monday night fractures are widening inside the club as relationships with the coach deteriorate.

“The stories coming out of the club about the relationship between the coach and the players are disturbing,” Wilson said.

“It was disturbing last week when news leaked to the Herald Sun about the spray after the Brisbane loss that David Noble had given his players, so bad that he apologised.

“I think that’s a problem when players are talking about that stuff. I’m hearing more and more about players just being disenchanted with the coach … with his temper on occasions.

“We hear reports about David getting very, very frustrated during some performances. The coaches are sort of ‘we’, the players are ‘they’, some of the language you’re hearing about.

“These are the stories I was starting to hear at the end of 2020 with (former Carlton coach) David Teague. It’s just a bit of a worry to me. I’m not saying David Noble’s gone — he’s only a season-and-a-half in. But he’s got a lot of work to do to win back some players.”

However, Kangaroos captain Jack Ziebell backed the coach, despite being careful to not speak on behalf of his teammates.

Originally published as Kangaroos recruitment duo lead exodus amid ‘disturbing’ report