Former North Melbourne coach David Noble has admitted he “should’ve done a bit more research into the environment I was walking into” at the club.
Noble – now boss of the Shell V-Power Racing team in the Supercars – was sacked by the Kangaroos last July after just 38 games at the helm.
He was eventually replaced by Alastair Clarkson, while there was more change at the top level of the club throughout 2022.
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Reflecting on his tenure at the club on AFL 360, Noble said he had some regrets about his time at Arden Street.
“I think there’s a few things I didn’t get as right as I would’ve liked,” he said.
“I pride myself on doing a lot of research, I probably should’ve done a bit more research into the environment I was walking into.
“I think we tried to move into more defence in the second year and maybe we should’ve just stuck with the offence.
“I think there’s lots of things you could pull apart as you go through it. I think there’s lots of things that all parties could’ve learned from that experience.”
Noble’s departure from the Roos followed a review from the club’s former CEO and football boss Geoff Walsh.
That review, Noble said, was not made available to him.
“I think you do (take responsibility for reported relationship failures within the club). The buck stops with the coach,” Noble said.
“I was very clear there was a lot of responsibility for me as a senior coach, that’s where it sits. I would’ve liked to have seen what was in the report to be honest with you, but I’ve never seen it.
“That’s hard to assess where you may’ve let yourself down or let a group down to not know where that may’ve fallen apart.”
Noble has since switched sports, being announced as the Dick Johnson Racing team’s boss in December.
“I’ve reflected, I’ve talked to a lot of people internally. I’ve taken the chance to really explore other avenues,” he said.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people in other sports that I normally wouldn’t have the time to do.
“I’ve gone back to do some study, I’ve taken the path now that I choose and I feel really privileged I’ve been able to more into the Shell V-power racing team.”
