New North Melbourne coach David Noble has been issued a three-year timeline to transform the battling club into a consistent top-four contender.
Noble was officially unveiled as new Roos coach on Friday as he prepares to take over from Rhys Shaw, who stood down from the role in October.
The former Brisbane head of football beat out a shortlist containing Collingwood assistant Robert Harvey and Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa, with the club favouring Noble's extensive experience across multiple facets of the football industry.
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Winning just three matches in 2020, the Kangaroos finished the season in 17th place above Adelaide with a slightly stronger percentage, while the club hasn't featured in the finals since 2016.
Speaking on SEN, Kangaroos chairman Ben Buckley outlaid the club's lofty expectations on their new coach.
“These things are always hard to put an exact time frame on but there’s no doubt that we are in a transition phase,” Buckley said.
“We’ve changed the age profile of the list dramatically in the last six months, a young and exciting group coming through but a core group who should take us through the next five or six years.
“Realistically, David’s got two to three years to really get us into a position where we’re competing regularly in the top four and ultimately looking to win a premiership.
“That’s our ultimate goal.”
New beginnings 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ylX1dNTKGx
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) November 23, 2020
Noble has been credited with playing an important role in turning the Lions into a premiership force since he became the club's football boss in 2016.
Prior to that, he spent close to a decade with the Crows as an assistant coach, list manager and head of football.
Buckley said Noble's vast experience across various football positions made him the best fit for the club.
“This is in no way disrespectful to those that didn’t get the job, I think David presented himself as a very experienced operator within the football industry," he said.
“He’s coached football teams, he’s been an assistant coach at AFL clubs, he’s been a list manager, he’s been a head of football and GM of football both at Adelaide and Brisbane.
“I think David’s wealth of experience, diversity of experience, maturity and his ability to lead and create a whole football program probably set him apart from others.”
