Noble sorry to players for spray
NORTH Melbourne coach David Noble apologised to his players after going “too hard” in a stinging verbal spray delivered after their demoralising round 3 loss to Brisbane.
Noble reflected upon his conduct in the days after the 108-point loss and told them he had gone too far in condemning their efforts.
Several younger players were visibly shocked by the raw feedback from Noble, who in past weeks has softened his communication methods and provided a more positive environment. The players have provided feedback to Noble that his criticism had become a pattern.
The coach has also since simplified a game plan players believed was too complicated and difficult to execute and did not give them room to maximise their talents.
North Melbourne general manager of football performance Daniel Mcpherson confirmed Noble had agreed he had been too forceful in his post-match address after that round 3 loss.
But he said Noble had taken the feedback on board and adjusted some of his methods.
The club also believes it could have better supported an angry and emotional Noble immediately after that game given his frustration at the performance.
The Roos had believed they could make rapid gains this season but lost to Hawthorn in round 1 then fell against an understrength West Coast before the trip to the Gabba.
Playing against his old side the former Brisbane football boss said of the loss: “It was a really simple, basic game today that we let ourselves down enormously and we should be embarrassed.”
In the Gabba rooms postmatch he made clear the loss was unacceptable but while players are no stranger to honest feedback, he later accepted the tone of that address was unacceptable.
Some players were visibly emotional given his tone but the club on Monday denied reports at least one younger player was in tears.
Mcpherson said of the incident that Noble “reflected for a couple of days afterwards and then said to the boys that he had gone too hard so he did apologise”.
The Roos have tried to simplify a game plan that at some stage might be cutting-edge but had too many moving parts for a young, undermanned side to execute effectively.
Senior players Jack Ziebell, Kayne Turner, Aidan Corr, Jaidyn Stephenson and Hugh Greenwood have all failed to have a significant impact.
The club also lacks on-field leaders with Turner and Corr members of the leadership group along with Ziebell, Jy Simpkin, Ben Cunnington, Luke Mcdonald and Nick Larkey.
The Roos take on Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon without their best defender in Ben Mckay, who will miss at least a week with a medial ligament sprain.