Daniel Rioli reveals the social media prophecy that he would play with John Noble

To them it certainly felt like fate had intervened when the Gold Coast Suns circled the then-Richmond and Collingwood defenders as key targets in last year’s trade period.

By now the particular messages are lost amongst the hundreds exchanged since, but both men still remember their secret social media pact to one day run out on the field as teammates.

“We would message each other every now and then via social media,” Rioli revealed.

“I remember there was a message between us one day where we said one day we will play with each other down the track … or it would be nice to play alongside each other.

“I watched his game very closely when I was at Richmond and he was at Collingwood.

“We both play a very similar role and I admired how he went about his football and he admired the way I go about it, so we had a close connection there.

“He’s such a dynamic player and a very crucial part to the way we play.”

“He’s a player I’ve said previously I wanted to play with, for a long time,” Noble told this masthead, in a separate interview.

“We used to joke about it when he was at Richmond and I was at Collingwood, so to finally be together and play together is awesome.”

That their coming together would be at Gold Coast under Rioli’s former Richmond mentor, Damien Hardwick, is not something either player could have seen coming.

From mutual admirers within the Melbourne football bubble to a dynamic defensive duo on the Glitter Strip, Rioli and Noble are not the only reason the Suns will finally play in September this season. But they are a major component.

Rioli’s game breaking speed has added a much needed extra dimension to Gold Coast’s ball movement in 2025. Few players in the competition can go with the 28-year-old when he moves through the gears.

Nobody knows that better than Hardwick, which is why the Suns were willing to give up two first-rounders in last year’s draft to pluck Richmond’s reigning best and fairest winner out of Punt Rd.

Some guffawed at the price the Suns were willing to pay to get their man, but it now looks like draft capital well spent.

Noble certainly thinks so.

“He’s a star and a huge talent,” he said of Rioli.

“He’s seen (premiership) success three times under Dimma and he knows what it takes. He’s an experienced head this time of year and I’ve absolutely loved playing with him.

“He changes our team. His speed and ball use is incredible.

“He’s one of my best mates at the club and we catch up outside (of the club) often.

“We talk heaps. We do our reviews together with Drummo (backline coach Josh Drummond). He’s a really special person.”

By now Noble’s reason for wanting out of Collingwood is well known.

He was famously left out of the Magpies’ 2023 finals side – which went on to win the premiership - despite playing every home and away game that season.

It was a wound that time ultimately could not heal, and he requested a trade to Gold Coast at the end of 2024.

His departure cut many Collingwood fans deep and for good reason. The 28-year-old has become the perfect complement to Rioli across halfback, with his change of angles and high footy IQ.

The Suns knew they were getting a plug-and-play ball user when they traded for him last year. But what shocked many at the club was how quickly Noble became an on-field leader.

From the very first training session, the ex-Collingwood man’s voice could be heard above the rest. It was obvious he had bought into Hardwick’s project from the start.

He came to the club not for a holiday, but to win the premiership that he was previously denied.

“I certainly wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think the group was ready and had the ability to play finals and chase premierships,” Noble said.

“It was something I spoke through with (Suns football boss) Wayne (Campbell) and Dimma when I first met them.

“I’m chasing a premiership. I missed out on one and that’s something I’ve wanted for so long.”

If there was any whiplash in going from the biggest club in the competition to one of the smallest, Noble did not feel it.

In fact, he says he has been able to reclaim a part of his life that he felt he had lost while playing in Melbourne.

“Up here you can really separate yourself as a person to your (life as an) athlete,” Noble said.

“Obviously you’re an athlete to so many people and I feel like you can get lost in that sometimes as a person.

“Family being up here is such a bonus. I knew pretty early my decision (to join the Suns) was the right one.

“It’s such a healthy lifestyle up here. It’s not dark and cold and miserable when you get out of bed. The motivation levels are higher. In winter you can get to the beach. I’m loving it.”

To say the Suns are light on finals experience would be an understatement. All up, the playing list boasts just 19 post-season appearances. Incredibly, Rioli and Noble account for 18 of those. The other is Ben Long, who played a single elimination final for St Kilda in 2020.

Hardwick has stated multiple times he believes his side is built for finals football. That statement will get its first litmus test on Saturday, when face Fremantle at Optus Stadium in what will be the biggest crowd in club history.

The coach will no doubt lean on his running defenders to offer guidance to the playing group this week.

“It’s more about giving them exposure to what we have experienced,” Noble said.

“Dimma is right, you don’t know until you’re there and you have experienced it. It’s a different ball game, it’s a different breed of footy. You don’t have as much time and mistakes mean a lot more.

“Our profile as a club is really strong. We have an incredible midfield, a young and developing forward line that has stood up in big games and a really sound back line.

“One hundred per cent we are a team built for finals.

“There is no ceiling on what we can achieve and it’s exciting for this group to be where it is.”