Noble’s intentions

Coach: It got the better of me

NORTH Melbourne coach David Noble declared he has “got to be better” after it emerged he had apologised to his playing group following a stinging spray he delivered after the team’s heavy round 3 loss to Brisbane.

Noble said he felt there was still a place for being “direct and firm” with the playing group, but acknowledged he had got the time and delivery wrong as he addressed the fallout from the harsh postmatch critique.

It has emerged this week that Noble had reflected on his conduct in the days following the 108-point loss to the Lions and told the players he had gone too far in condemning their efforts.

Noble confirmed on Wednesday he had apologised “off his own bat”, saying his emotions had got the better of him after the match.

“We can’t ask the players to have a learning environment if we are not going to be up for that ourselves,” the coach said.

“The intention was correct, I believe that there still is a place for being direct and firm with your playing group and just the time and delivery was probably not the right time.

“We all get emotional at that point in time and I thought we had a really good day in the box, we were all methodical in how we coached and it just got the better of me at the end of the day and I’ve got to be better than that. (I apologised) off my own bat. I can reflect and understand, I think I am self-aware enough to read those situations.”

The post-match spray reportedly left several young players shocked.

Noble said he was unaware of younger players being upset by his address, but said he had been open to any players to air those feelings.

“Again that is part of the reflection piece is that we have got a mixture of (a) young group,” Noble said.

“Talk to Jack (Ziebell) and the older guys understand, but then I think for me as a reflection piece the learning that we have got to get those guys to understand the importance and the consequence of that type of game has got to be better.

“I did not hear of anyone (being upset), but this week I have certainly been very open to if someone has then that’s fine. But I think the group has moved forward pretty quick.”

Noble refuted suggestions the Kangaroos had altered their game plan.

“We have narrowed our focus on some key elements of our game plan, so (our) contested ball, our defence,” Noble said.