Career
A small rover, Noonan played in Fitzroy"s inaugural VFL season in 1897 and then their inaugural premiership side the following year. In 1901 he crossed to Carlton and spent two seasons with the Blues. Noonan spent the rest of his career in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) where he captained North Melbourne to premierships in 1903 and 1904.
Noonan also spent some time playing at fellow VFA side Williamstown Football Club.
Noonan remains the oldest first-time coach in VFL/American Federation of Labor-Congress history.