North Melbourne have named Brisbane Lions football manager David Noble as their new AFL coach.
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The 53-year-old is the Kangaroos' third coach in as many years, replacing Rhyce Shaw, who left the club in October after one season in charge.
Noble edged out Collingwood assistant Robert Harvey and former Western Bulldogs champion Daniel Giansiracusa for the top job at Arden St.
After a brief top-flight playing career with Fitzroy, Noble has embarked on a long and well-rounded journey in AFL circles.
He was an under-18s coach of the NSW-ACT Rams during the 1990s, a senior AFL assistant and reserves coach with the Bulldogs and held a number of integral off-field roles at the Adelaide Crows, including six years as an assistant.
Noble was headhunted to join the Lions in 2017 when Chris Fagan was appointed coach, with the duo spearheading the club's surge up the ladder.
Tipped to be Brisbane's next chief executive when Greg Swann steps away, Noble was urged into exploring becoming an AFL head coach for the first time.
As recently as three weeks ago he was adamant about not being interested in a return to coaching.
"I moved up here (to Brisbane) to broaden my skillset from an admin perspective and would like to see my path is still moving to that CEO role," he told Trade Radio last month.
"That's the direction I've clearly taken. I'm heading down that CEO path if I can."
Noble will lead North into uncharted waters as the club prepares to rebuild after a brutal list cull following a 3-14 campaign in 2020.
Ben Brown, the Kangaroos' leading goal-kicker from 2016 to 2019, and star veteran Shaun Higgins departed during the trade period.
North chairman Ben Buckley said Noble's vast amount of knowledge and experience made him a good fit for the club.
"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," Buckley said.
"We are very confident he will lead our young side back up the ladder in the coming years.
"We've done a lot of work, particularly over the past 12 months, to re-shape our list and get into a position that will bring about sustained future success.
"We believe we have set a solid foundation and the time is right for someone of David's calibre to come in and work with our talented list of up and coming young stars, and senior players, and mould the team with his great leadership and knowledge."
DAVID NOBLE
Age: 53
Playing career: Fitzroy (two games in 1991)
Current role: Brisbane Lions football manager (2017)
Previous head coaching roles: ACT/NSW Rams (TAC Cup, 1996-97), Glenelg (SANFL, 2003-04)
Australian Associated Press
