North Melbourne is putting a “united” front, although it has been confirmed that its list director resigned this week because he did not feel supported.
Key points:
- Glenn Luff was one of three staff members to leave the Kangaroos
- Kangaroos CEO Ben Amarfio says Luff’s resignation is a “shock”
- David Noble says he is confident the club will be able to turn their fortunes around on the pitch
Glenn Luff resigned on Tuesday, while national recruiting director Mark Finnigan and recruiting officer Ben Birthisel have also left the club, which is at the bottom of the ladder with a 10-game victory.
The exodus of the three recruiters comes on the eve of the mid-season draft.
Kangaroos chief executive Ben Amarfio said Luff had cited a lack of support as a result of his decision to leave the club.
“I think there are a number of reasons why Glenn left, and that’s one of the many reasons,” Amarfio told a news conference on Arden Street on Thursday.
When asked why Luff didn’t feel supported, Amarfio said, “That’s a question for Glenn.”
ABC Sport has contacted Luff to comment, but has not yet responded.
Amarfio described Luff’s resignation as a “shock”.
“We were disappointed. We wish we had kept it,” Amarfio said.
Finnigan left the Kangaroos to move to Hawthorn, while Birthisel left his permanent jobs in another industry.
“[Mark Finnigan] He received a great offer and received some security … which we could not match “, said Amarfio.
The Kangaroos have only won one game after 10 rounds this season. (AAP: Gary Day)
The resignations leave football chief and former player Brady Rawlings and veteran recruiter Scott Clayton as the only full-time recruiting staff members of the Kangaroos.
“It’s not ideal to lose three recruiters at this time of year, but … the work for the mid-season draft has been done in recent months,” Amarfio said.
“The staff feels united, they feel happy.”
Amarfio said head coach David Noble, who is in his second season with the Kangaroos, had the support of all key stakeholders at Arden Street.
“The coach has our support, he has my support, he has the support of the board and … he has the support of the players.”
Amarfio admitted that the kangaroos were enduring a “hard trot”.
“In terms of where we thought we would find ourselves as a club, after looking at other reconstructions successfully, that’s what we expected,” Amarfio said.
“Are we frustrated? Absolutely. Would we like to be a little more competitive and have our loss margins smaller? Absolutely.
“But we are not surprised that we are in the position we are in.”
Noble for the “long journey”
Noble said Amarfio’s support was an indication that the club remained strong and united.
“I took this job understanding that there will be hard times,” he said.
“I’m here for the long term. I want our club to be successful and strong.”
David Noble is adamant that kangaroos can change their actions. (Getty Images / AFL Photos: Daniel Carson)
Noble called out what he called misleading stories in the media.
He noted reports that he had “disturbing” relations with the players and that he was apologized to the team after a post-match address following a humiliating defeat to Brisbane earlier this season.
“I would like people to stop denouncing them because they are not true,” Noble said.
“I don’t know how many times I have to say that our players are committed.
“For the last time, we’re moving forward together, and yes, it’s a challenge.”
Noble disagreed that the departure of the three recruiters was a bad appearance, saying that each person’s personal circumstances were different and that the situation could get worse.
Amarfio, meanwhile, invited kangaroo seniors Wayne Carey and David King to the club to be “part of the solution” as he seeks to improve his performances.
Carey and King, who were Kangaroos first teammates in 1996 and 1999, have been some of the club’s most vocal critics.
Posted 1 Hr 1 Hour ago, May 26, 2022 at 5:46 AM, updated 1 Hour, 1 Hour ago, Thu, May 26, 2022 at 5:56 AM