Jack Ziebell

Jack Ziebell (born 28 February 1991) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was selected 9th overall in the 2008 AFL Draft by North Melbourne.

Early career

Ziebell played for the Murray Bushrangers alongside fellow draftee Steele Sidebottom, and was an important part of the Bushrangers premiership win in 2008, averaging 18 possessions, two goals and six marks a match. Ziebell represented Vic Country at the 2008 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and gained All-Australian Honours after averaging 17 disposals per match.

Ziebell is originally from Wodonga, Victoria, and attended Caulfield Grammar School as a boarding student where he dominated school football.

North Melbourne

Ziebell made his debut in 2009, his first season at the club, and had an instant impact. He produced consistently impressive performances over the first two months and was rewarded with the Round 7 NAB Rising Star nomination for his 23 disposal and 1 goal game against Port Adelaide. North Melbourne coach, Dean Laidley, singled him out in the post-match press conference and declared him a "leader" and a "superstar [in the making]". Ziebell was regarded as one of the favourites for the 2009 NAB Rising Star award at the time which is awarded to the best rookie at the end of the season.