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Find your Sport Nation frequencyShould Collingwood have shown John Noble more love?
SEN • May 16th, 2025 11:17 am
Gold Coast defender John Noble had perhaps the best game of his career in Thursday’s win over Hawthorn in Darwin.
The 28-year-old helped himself to career-highs in disposals (36), inside 50s (8), clearances (3) and kicks (27) as the Suns took a critical eight-point victory. He also had a remarkable 1001 metres gained.
It was Noble’s ninth game for the Suns after requesting a trade from Collingwood last off-season, having played 112 games across six seasons for the Pies.
With Noble playing career-best footy in Queensland, Kane Cornes pondered whether the Magpies really knew what they had on their hands as they dealt Noble and Joe Richards away in a three-way deal with Port Adelaide that landed them Dan Houston.
Cornes’ co-host David King was blown away by Noble’s game on Thursday night.
He believes that Noble and fellow half-back recruit Daniel Rioli have revamped Damien Hardwick’s side, however, he thinks Collingwood will look back on the trade as one that will benefit them long-term.
Cornes: “The Noble discussion is interesting as well.
“He essentially left Collingwood because he felt some anxiety, according to Scotty Lucas, his manager, after being left out of that 2023 premiership.
“It’s been a great move for him. Should Collingwood have shown him a bit more love? Did they know what they had there?”
King: “I think they did. It's a half-back's world, mate. It's a ball movement game now.
“You get Noble and Rioli, it has changed the whole dynamic of this football club. As Sam Mitchell said, you've got to worry about their midfield, but as soon as you support it (their midfield), you give them a weapon, which is one of the two at half-back, you can't clamp them both.
“Noble had eight inside 50s as a half-back flanker, that’s an unbelievable night.
“But they (Collingwood) effectively turned him into Houston, didn't they?
“I know Houston right now is not flying, but he'll come good in the back half of the year.”
Cornes: “They gave up a bit more than John Noble for Houston, they still gave up a first-rounder as well for Houston as part of it.”
King: “I still think in time, you'll think that was a good move (for Collingwood).”
Noble ranks number one at the Suns for rebound 5s, one for metres gained, second for total disposals and second for effective disposals.
The 28-year-old and the in-form 7-2 Suns next face the Saints at Marvel Stadium next Sunday evening.
