North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell believes David Noble had nothing to apologise for after his intense post-match spray aimed at players after their Round 3 loss to Brisbane.
The Herald Sun reported on Monday night that Noble’s post-match address to his players after their 108-point loss had left his players “visibly shocked”, with the senior coach feeling the need to say sorry to his squad just days later.
Numerous AFL legends had their say on Tuesday morning, however Ziebell believes the response has been overblown, with the club skipper “bemused” at the fanfare over the story.
He also noted how the response to the spray from his teammates was impressive, the Roos almost completing the upset of the year when falling just short of Sydney in Round 4.
“It was a little time ago now, but seeing as it’s come to light, it was a pretty disappointing performance from our team that night and in fairness, we’d just lost by over 100 points,” Ziebell began on SEN’s Whateley.
“So the coach gave us a direct message after the game and I think in the coming days he might have reflected upon that and thought that maybe it might have been a little bit too much.
“But my recollection, to be honest, is that he didn’t need to do that (apologise). His message was fair, it was direct, the performance wasn’t up to standard.
“So that was it from my point of view, the following week we got a great response and to be honest, we probably should have beaten Sydney in Sydney… but in terms of a response after a really disappointing week, the players responded really well, so that’s probably where I sit on it.
“I’m a little bit bemused to think this had made such big news, to be honest, off the back of what’s occurred.”
When questioned over Noble’s communication with players, Ziebell was resolute in defending his coach.
“Absolutely not (have there been any concerns over the manner of Noble’s communication),” he continued.
“'Nobes' (Noble) has been one of the greatest supporters of all our players over the last 18 months and the journey we’re on.
“The direction Nobes has, the way he's built that direction, he’s got the full support of the players, the club, the coaches, everyone involved at North Melbourne inside the four walls.”
On the topic of whether players found the spray confronting, Ziebell said: “they might have… potentially.”
“But in saying that, I’m sure that if you get beaten at any other football club around Australia, it’s probably going to be a similar response from your coach, and if it’s not then your coach probably doesn’t care too much.
“From my point of view it was well-warranted after that performance, he did what he did after that in response and from that point, I don’t think there’s too much that needs to be said.”
With the Roos in the second year of a rebuild under Noble, the club has struggled in 2022 to reproduce the improved level they showed in the back half of last year.
The original report also suggested some players were confused about the game-plan, which Ziebell stated hasn’t changed since Noble’s first year in charge.
“I think we’ve been building our game plan over the last 18 months and we’ve been adding layers, and we’ll continue to add layers because that’s what you’ve got to do in 2022, in modern-day footy,” Ziebell said.
“There’s plenty to learn because it is a new game plan, and a few of our guys might be just starting to learn that, but we have to keep on the path and we can’t deviate and Nobes has been really strong on that and I couldn’t agree with him any more.
“The game plan we have at the moment I think stacks up, we just have to produce it more often.
“No I don’t think so (players have found it confusing to implement).”
“At times when things are happening in games there’s clarification needed 100 per cent and to simplify what your priorities are in a game, that happens all the time and in every footy club it would happen as well, here’s no different.
“But our game plan has not changed in the last 18 months, let me make that clear.”
The Herald Sun also suggested that Noble’s criticism had become a pattern to his players, another accusation Ziebell denied.
“I think that was a one-off, what happened in Brisbane,” he added.
“Personally, I don’t think he needed to apologise for what was said because it just shows his level of passion and care for our footy club. But he did.
“He’s created such a safe environment here. The players coming into work, we really enjoy playing footy down at North Melbourne and we have to make sure we stay together throughout this as well.
“I don’t think that he’s changed his approach at all and I think that was just a one-off.”
The Roos are coming off four consecutive 50+ point defeats, while more problems have emerged at the club in recent days. SEN’s Sam Edmund reported on Saturday that those inside the four walls are asking questions over whether the club’s leaders are the right people, while he also broke the news that the Roos’ No.1 draft pick, Jason Horne-Francis, has put off contract talks to the end of the season.
Given the difficult few days for Noble, Ziebell has offered his support to the embattled coach.
“I’ve spoken to Nobes pretty closely over the last few days,” Ziebell added.
“I’m pretty close with Nobes. I've got a lot of respect for him in the way he goes about it.
“The last thing he needs to be dealing with on a Monday is all of this stuff when we’re in the position we’re in. I’ve offered my support in any way I can and will continue to do so from this point on.”
Ziebell also spoke on the news surrounding Horne-Francis, refusing to be drawn into the conversation when asked if there was any concern surrounding the youngster’s future.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“I know Jase pretty well and he’s obviously a super talented kid, but the decision is for him, his family, and his management to make that call.
“It’s got nothing really to do with us as players.”
The Roos head to Hobart on Saturday in Round 9 to take on Port Adelaide in search of their second win of the season.