Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has mixed emotions over David Noble’s departure from the Lions.
Noble, who was instrumental in transforming Brisbane from cellar dwellers to premiership contenders, will be tasked with a similar rebuild at North Melbourne after being appointed as senior coach.
Fagan is “a little bit disappointed” that Noble decided to leave the Lions but is also thankful for his “tremendous contribution” during his four years at the club.
“Really good footy managers don’t grow on trees and he’s an experienced guy. We’ll definitely miss him,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I’m really happy for him and a little bit disappointed that we lost him.
“But this is one of those challenges you look forward to with your culture. If you’ve built a strong culture, you find that you can replace most people most of the time.
“Hopefully that’s the case here, but he’s made a tremendous contribution over the last four years, he’s been a great support for me.”
Brisbane will look both internally and externally to find Noble’s replacement during the off-season.
“We’ll run a process for that position,” Fagan said.
“From what I can gather from Swanny (Greg Swann) yesterday there’s people interested from inside and outside the club.
“We’ll sit down and try to pick the right person.”
Noble, 53, has been given the ambitious task of making the Kangaroos a top four contender and premiership threat within the next three years.
North won just three games in 2020, narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon.