Out of luck, out of time. David Noble’s prize is a North heading south

David Noble, senior coach of North Melbourne and Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos during the ANZAC Observance during the Round 6 match against Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena on April 24, 2022 in Hobart. Photograph: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images

In November last year, the greats of the North Melbourne Football Club gathered at Arden Street. Legends of the club mingled with former captains, coaches, presidents, and sponsors. The mood was buoyant. The club’s debt had been wiped. Dani Laidley had been welcomed back. The number one draft pick looked ready made. “You can feel the energy, and feel the excitement in the air,” the outgoing chairman said.

But little has gone right since. The signs were there in the first practice match. North have since regressed in every area worth measuring. Their only win came against the Covid-ravaged Eagles. They’re the first team in VFL/AFL history to lose 11 straight games by more than 40 points. On Saturday night, they lost by 18 goals.