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Lions bracing for tricks from old mentor

3 minute read

The Brisbane Lions will start as hot favourites against lowly North Melbourne on Saturday, but are expecting Roos coach David Noble to spring a few surprises?

DAVID NOBLE.
DAVID NOBLE. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron predicts David Noble will have some tricks up his sleeve when the North Melbourne coach attempts to bring down his old side in Hobart on Saturday.

Noble served as Brisbane's general manager of football for four years before being appointed Kangaroos coach at the end of last year.

The 54-year-old has endured a tough start in the coaching hot seat, with North Melbourne posting just a win and a draw from their first 12 games.

The fourth-placed Lions will start as hot favourites at Blundstone Arena on Saturday, but Cameron is on alert.

"I think he (Noble) will have a few tricks up his sleeve this weekend because he knows our game plan," Cameron said on Thursday.

"We've got to be ready to go against North Melbourne. Blundstone's a pretty tricky ground to play at.

"I've played there four times and lost, I haven't won a game there yet.

"When I was at Adelaide they (North Melbourne) smashed us by 60 points in that first quarter with that wind.

"It's an unpredictable ground. They've got a cricket pitch down there, it's a quick deck. It's going to be dewy ... and cold as well."

The match will mark the 100th game as coach for Lions mentor Chris Fagan, who has guided the side to 49 wins to date.

"They had a pump-up video for him, all of his celebrations and all of his anger problems," Cameron said with a laugh.

"Him smashing the desk, he almost broke his hand there. But there were a lot of touching messages from friends and families as well.

"What he's done for this footy club has been huge. Getting me here as well has helped me out.

"Hopefully we get the win for him down in Tassie, his home town."

Star defender Harris Andrews will captain the side after Dayne Zorko copped a one-match suspension.

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