Noble a Crow, Dogs eye Campbell

Adelaide Crows list manager David Noble is being headhunted by the Western Bulldogs. Source: News Limited

CROWS list manager David Noble will stay at Adelaide rather than pursue the chance to return to the Western Bulldogs as their football operations chief.

Noble told adelaidnow this afternoon he would not be taking up the vacancy created by James Fantasia's move to Hawthorn. He confirmed he had been approached by the Bulldogs, in particular chief executive Simon Garlick.

"I want to repay the faith and investment the Adelaide Football Club has shown in me," said Noble, who also took into account family needs in Adelaide.

Noble's withdrawal leaves former Richmond captain and current Tigers assistant coach Wayne Campbell as the favourite for the role at Whitten Oval.

Noble, a former assistant coach at the Bulldogs, has been with the Crows since 2005 when he became an assistant to Neil Craig.

Adelaide chairman and acting chief executive Rob Chapman today declared his club "could not afford to lose David Noble".

"As much as we have shown faith in David, he has today declared his confidence and willingness to be part of the strategies and plans we have in place for the next five years," he said. "Thankfully, David decided he wants to be part of those plans rather than chase other opportunities.

"We could not afford to lose David, particularly when he has a big career ahead of him."

The Advertiser understands Noble and former Richmond captain and current Tigers assistant coach Wayne Campbell were the last two contenders for the football operations job at the Bulldogs.

The seat has been vacant since the start of the season when another former Crows staffer, recruiting manager James Fantasia, quit to lead Hawthorn's football department.

Noble, a former assistant coach at the Bulldogs (1998-2002), did not return calls to The Advertiser last night after being in lengthy meetings at the Crows' West Lakes headquarters.

A raid on Noble is ill-timed for Adelaide considering the complications that the Crows face in October and November during the trade period and national draft.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson is demanding Noble and Crows recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie find a way to trade back into the first two rounds of the national draft.

The Crows have lost these picks as penalties for draft tampering in the Tippett saga that unfolded during last year's trade period.

Losing Noble would cost Adelaide critical time that would need to be dedicated to finding his replacement rather than scouting and luring new players to West Lakes.

Adelaide chairman and acting chief executive Rob Chapman last night was wanting to talk Noble into staying at West Lakes rather than issuing a blunt ``hands off'' warning to the eager Bulldogs.

"I will never stand in the way of someone improving themselves by going to a bigger and better job,'' said Chapman.

"But at the same time I don't want our club to lose a quality person like David Noble.

"We understand people have ambitions - and sometimes there are not opportunities to fulfil these ambitions at our club.

"We also understand good people get hunted - and David Noble is a quality person.

"His work in our recruitment and analysis of players has been first class for us.

"He also has a great depth of experience as a player, a coach and in football administration.

"Good people do get headhunted ...

"I will have a mature discussion with David, I'm sure, before a final decision is made.''

Noble joined the Crows in 2005 as an assistant coach for Neil Craig after coaching Glenelg in the SANFL in 2003-04.

He recently has developed a stronger resume in football administration, in particular during the summer when Chapman remodelled the Adelaide football department in the wake of the Tippett scandal.

Noble's portfolio advanced from list management to more contract negotiations and long-term strategy planning.

Adelaide's vision for Noble in its total administration - where a succession plan for the chief executive role needs to emerge - was emphasised last month when Noble was enrolled in a Harvard University management course.

This vast experience makes Noble appear to stand out ahead of Campbell.

While the Tippett saga drags on until November for the Adelaide Football Club, it closes for Crows chief executive Steven Trigg on July 1 when he returns to his office after serving a six-month ban.

The issue ends for Tippett, who was hit with an 11-game suspension, on Saturday when he will play his first game for Sydney at AAMI Stadium against Port Adelaide.