Earlier this week, the Brisbane Lions announced the appointment of David Noble as the club’s new General Manager of Football.
Noble brings with him a wealth of experience from his 12 years at Adelaide in roles ranging from assistant coach to list manager and most recently, Head of Football – and it’s evident that he has a strong idea on what he wants to get out of his new role – a challenge.
It’s something Noble chases as in his pursuit of excellence, something his moved around the country for, specifically in his roles as a coach in the SANFL and an assistant at the Western Bulldogs.
"Taking on challenges has always been something that, as an individual, I’ve prided myself against,” Noble told SEN’s On The Run Home.
"And being able to make yourself uncomfortable and learn new skills and challenge yourself to bring high standards to the environments that you’re in.
And his first challenge? Assessing the playing list and appointing a new Head Coach, a task he’s said is not “something you can rush."
"One of the things which I think was really important, was assessing where the playing group was (at Adelaide), where the Club was positioned, and the type of leader that we actually needed to bring to the football club in the coaching role,” said Noble.
"I think that’s part of understanding where you current list sits, so when you go to the interview list you know exactly what you’re looking for; you’re looking for a leader, a person with great standards, that can bring people together on a journey, I just think that’s so important.
“I'll rely on staff that we have at the moment to update me on where our strategies are, what it looks like, what our measurement tools are and try and get a quick understanding of where that is.”
“That is also going to be important when we’re interviewing for a coach, to understand what our mechanisms are to bring the coach along on that journey as well.
Noble will bring his experience in list management, work ethic, standards and protocols to the fore, which he hopes will complement a coach that can educate and move the game and the Brisbane Lions as an organisation forward.
"We’re in a position now that we need to make Brisbane relevant again - for a long time now we’ve become irrelevant in the competition and that’s something we’ve got to stand for," said Noble.
"I think our best results at Adelaide were when everyone was on the same page, everyone’s understanding of what’s going on with list management, they understand their functions, there’s no doubt.
"If you’re not in it collectively and united, it just makes for so much more work.
“You need good people, you need hard workers and people with great values in your organisation because that’s what helps your culture flourish and grow."
Noble knows what he wants and he’s up for a challenge, and he’s put the fans to a task; to stick tight and success will come.
"To all the Brisbane Lions supporters out there based in Melbourne, we're going to need your support, stay with us and stick with us. We definitely want to become relevant again and we're up for change. So look forward to some positive results next year."
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