North Melbourne have given coach David Noble a 54th birthday to remember, securing his maiden AFL victory and the club’s first in season 2021.

The last-placed Kangaroos came from 32 points down against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon to snap a losing streak stretching back to round nine last season.

Cameron Zurhaar was inspirational in the 13.9 (87) to 12.8 (80) victory, slotting four goals including crucial majors either side of three-quarter time.

But the side’s gallant effort has been overshadowed by stinging criticism from club legend David King.

King, a two-time Roos premiership player, said he was disappointed the club and coach Noble were “almost begging” the AFL for a draft pick concession they weren’t entitled to.

“To me as a North Melbourne person, it flies in the face of everything that is the Kangaroos, everything they stand for, the Shinboner spirit, against the odds, beg for nothing, ask for nothing, embrace the challenge that you are one of the have nots,” he said on FoxFooty.

“So when you have success, it means a bit more.

“The club is here by choices they’ve made, decisions they’ve made to rebuild.”

King even suggested the club was trying to cut corners in the rebuild.

“It’s not the Kangaroos that I know,” he warned.

“Don’t be looking for ways to short circuit the system.

“This is what it is in terms of a rebuild.

“They knew what was coming ... you’ve made these decisions. You’ve gone backwards to go forwards.”

Noble was part of Brisbane’s football administration when the Queensland club successfully applied for a priority draft pick at the end of 2016, after years in the doldrums.

The Lions, who have played finals in 2019 and 2020, received an extra draft selection at the end of the first round.

“I’d love one, absolutely I’d love one,” Noble said on Thursday.

“Why wouldn’t we? If we were in a situation where that mechanism can be activated, I’m all for it.

“If it helps us and we feel we’re entitled to that mechanism being activated, absolutely.”