The Cairns Post

Noble walks out on Feds

Max Bennett

17Jun08

MALCOLM Noble has resigned as senior coach of the Federal Football Club, only two and a half months into the job.

The former SANFL assistant coach said the Demons had failed to fulfill his contractual obligations.

He said: ``Simply they didn't honour the contract regarding two very important aspects of employment and residency.

``The package put to me before I moved hasn't eventuated. I was told I would have residency sorted out but I had to obtain my own.''

``The club certainly honoured certain parts of the contract, but couldn't deliver on the basic stuff like employment.''

Noble joined Feds among much fanfare only days before the Easter Carnival in March on a two-year agreement, bringing with him plenty of experience from stints with West Adelaide and Norwood.

Club president Robbie Rolfe said he was extremely disappointed by Noble's decision to resign after the time and resources invested by the club to get him to Alice Springs.

He said: ``It's unfortunate and we're really disappointed and personally I'm a little pissed off.

``We spent a lot of money to get Malcolm up here and to find him a job and a place to live, so to see him leave after only two and a half months is disappointing.''

Noble contacted Rolfe following Feds' 118-point round nine loss to Yuendumu, announcing his resignation.

The coach then met with the club committee to formalise his resignation, ending his brief stay at the club.

This is the third coach in three seasons that has left the Demons mid-contract, with Noble concerned there may be a culture issue at the club.

Noble said: ``I think so.

``You'll probably have to ask the other coaches who have left.''

Rolfe denied there was a culture problem at the club, even if they have lost three coaches mid-season, believing the people they have brought in have not lived up to expectations.

He said: ``I don't think there is a culture problem.

``We've been unfortunate with the coaches we've got.

``All three coaches have probably let down the club and the players.''

Rolfe also said the nature of their departures were not received well by the club.

He said: ``These guys didn't even have the guts to say to the players `I'm not going to coach any more'.''

The relationship between Noble and Rolfe had been distant in the weeks prior to the split.

Noble said: ``I hadn't had a lot to do with him in the last month.

``I approached him a couple of weeks ago to discuss the contract but nothing was done.''

The club have asked Noble not to take up any coaching positions with any other clubs for the remainder of the season, with Rolfe saying it would be ``rubbing salt into the wounds'' if he were to do so.

Noble said he hasn't had any offers, admitting the split from Feds has ``left a bitter taste in his mouth''.

He said: ``I'll be a bit more careful if a club asks me.''

The Demons look set to move quickly to replace Noble, with star big man Steven Brooks likely to take the reins for the remainder of season 2008.