Noble appointed North coach

David Noble has won the race to be North Melbourne's new coach, appointed as Rhyce Shaw's successor by the club on Friday.

Noble, who played two games for Fitzroy in 1991 as well as playing in two premierships in his native Tasmania for North Hobart, has held many different roles in football, beginning his coaching journey as an assistant with the Western Bulldogs in 2000.

The 53 year old coached Glenelg in the SANFL in 2003 and 2004, then spending a decade at the Adelaide Crows as an assistant coach, list manager and Head of Football.

His most recent role has been at the Brisbane Lions, where he has held the position of General Manager of Football since 2016, helping turn around the club alongside Chris Fagan with the Lions coming off consecutive finals series.

Noble beat Collingwood assistant Robert Harvey and new Essendon assistant Daniel Giansiracusa for the role, replacing the departed Rhyce Shaw who left the club by mutual consent last month after just a year and a half in the position, having had battles with his mental health this season as well as a tough season that netted just three wins.

North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley said Noble is a great fit for the club and brings with him a vast amount of knowledge and experience.

“We were very clear on what we wanted in our next coach and we have found that in David. We are delighted to appoint him the 38th coach [including interim coaches] of our football club,” Buckley said.

“David has a profound knowledge of all areas of the football department and knows what it takes to win and set up club’s for success, having been part of no less than 13 AFL finals series throughout his impressive career so far.

“He is a great fit for our club and will complement our strategic direction. We are very confident he will lead our young side back up the ladder in the coming years.”

IMAGE: AFL website.