#9 John Noble

[K]

He's back!!
McFly:
“John will play…we want our players to keep coming back and getting better.
“Clearly, he didn’t get what he wanted at the end of last year, but he’s now fitter and stronger, he’s put on about four or five kilos.
“We need guys like Johnny to get us where we want to be.”

[Pies4shaw]

Let's hope, for his sake, that he doesn't repeat his 2023 by playing 23 H&A games but no finals.

[Magpietothemax]

I am so happy that John Noble has been selected.
Clearly, he has responded to concerns about his physical presence by gaining 4 to 5 kg of muscle in the off season.
He is a gun player, and he has reacted to disappointment in the way of a champion.
I am looking forward to see John Noble scorch the Giants' cattleyard with his blistering pace.

[Boot]

Clearly John Noble is made of the right stuff as a person of character. To respond to being dropped for the finals the way he has is a credit to him and the coaching panel to be able to come back by addressing the areas that were letting him down.
I've no doubt we will get the best of him for this weeks game and his speed will be needed to rebound. I just hope he isn't found out in the oppositions forward line in a one-on-one too many times as fundimentally I don't think he is good at one-on-one contests. That is where Markov is better.
I recall a couple of occasions in the Preliminary Final where Markov beat his opponent one-on-one and he also offers fast rebound pace from the backline. It will be interesting to see if both Noble and Markov can get a game in the same team this season.
I think Noble is better suited to the wing position where his pace and tank can be best leveraged. This leaves the backline full of physically stronger types who can win those crucial ono-on-one battles like Quaynor, Maynard and Crisp. I think Will Hoskin-Elliot will be played more down back this year too so that doesn't leave a lot of room for Noble. Perhaps Markov will be the first choice with Noble being the sub?

[Pies2016]

Should Noble be selected in the 22 for the opening round, then once again it’s testament to this blokes ability to find a way to get more out of himself from one pre season to the next. He has his flaws and most Pies supporters know them but we should never lose sight of how hard this guy has worked to be where he is today as an AFL footballer. He would easily get a game in a number of clubs best 18 every week but he finds himself on the fringe at the reigning premiers instead. Missing out on being selected in this team is no slight on your ability, it’s just the reality that comes with competing against other quality players.

[LaurieHolden]

[K]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1105128/how-resilient-collingwood-magpie-john-noble-bounced-back-after-september-cut

Sheesh... Media gonna torture Johnny forever 'bout last September.