The appointment of David Noble as the Brisbane Lions’ new Football Operations Manager was influenced by the AFL, according to club Director Leigh Matthews.

It made the decision ‘pretty easy’ given the help from the league.

The AFL, led by Mark Evans encouraged the Lions to pursue Noble who has spent the last three seasons in a similar role at the Crows.

Noble has been at Adelaide for the past 12 seasons overall and was previously an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs under Terry Wallace.

Matthews admitted to the AFL’s input into the decision, but remained adamant the final say was with the club.

‘The suggestion (from the AFL) was that maybe David Noble they could convince to actually come to Brisbane,’ Matthews told Sports Today.

‘Ultimately it’s the clubs appointment… I think he’s going to be really good.’

‘Without the AFL’s encouragement, I suspect David would have been staying where he was.’

Noble will begin at the Lions on Monday, where he will join a panel of five to select the next senior coach.

The other panel members include CEO Greg Swann, List Manager Peter Schwab, Psychologist Matt Clements and club great Simon Black.

Click PLAY to hear Leigh Matthews re: David Noble