Jack Ziebell earning big moment reputation, similar to Jimmy Bartel at the same age
BRAD Scott once likened Jack Ziebell to Michael Voss. If you’re looking for another comparison, think 25-year-old Jimmy Bartel, writes Mark Robinson.
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BRAD Scott once likened Jack Ziebell to Michael Voss.
“He is a tough footballer,’’ Scott said. “They are unfair comparisons because there has only ever been one Michael Voss, but he reminds me in so many ways of Michael Voss in his early 20s.’’
Ziebell was 21 at the time.
WHAT’S ROBBO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND? CHECK OUT HIS FIVE THINGS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
Asked this week, if he could see any similarities between Ziebell - now 25 - and anyone else, former Kangaroo David King said Mark Ricciuto.
“Strong body, a bull, can play midfield and go forward and kick goals,’’ King said.
If you’re looking for another comparison, think 25-year-old Jimmy Bartel and not 32-year-old Bartel: Strong overhead, fierce at the contest, big moments player.
Bartel was clutch, Ziebell is earning a reputation for just that.
In the third quarter of last weekend’s bruiser against Fremantle, as the Dockers mounted a challenge, Ziebell kicked two monster goals, both from beyond 50m to ignite North Melbourne’s momentum.
That was Bartel’s speciality. Big goal when it was needed. Win the tough ball when it was needed. Inspire when it mattered most.
Still, Ziebell in the conversation with Voss, Ricciuto and Bartel, three champions of the modern age?
Bartel was clutch, Ziebell is earning a reputation for just that. 
It reads foolishness.
And if the Kangaroo finishes his career with the same sort of respect and near-enough accomplishments, he will have had one spectacular second half of his career.
Ziebell’s always been a promiser - more to the point, others have made promises on his behalf - but it would appear the promises are finally being delivered.
That he is a late bloomer is more bad luck and bad execution than bad planning.
He broke his leg in first season, 2009, versus Adelaide. The next year, he broke his leg in the same spot versus Geelong. The next year he played 21 games, but we was reported in Round 23 for two matches, the start of a series of high bumps. In 2012, he was reported again and received four matches. In 2013, it was three matches. In 2014, it was shoulder and knee problems. In 2015, he played his most games in one season, 24, and finished fifth in his club’s best and fairest.
There was a never a doubt he could play, but Ziebell’s issues have been inconsistency, recklessness drawing suspensions, injury and, at times, stupid courage.
The 2016 season to date has seen Ziebell take his game to a higher level.
Always brave, he looks more commanding, more complete a player.
He’s played just 128 games and at the stage of Bartel’s career, his numbers stack up well. Same goals, same score assists, more tackles, more clearances, more contested possessions, three fewer average disposals.
Bartel went on to make himself a legend of Geelong and walk-up future Hall of Famer.
Ziebell has it all in front of him.
North Melbourne needs for him to have it all front of him.
If the Kangas are to win a premiership clearly they require all-team contribution. That requires Ziebell and Ben Cunnington to improve their footy again and the likes of Shaun Atley, Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Ben Brown and Jamie Macmillan to also take further significant steps.
No disrespect to the others, but Ziebell’s ability to impact games is crucial.
Ziebell is the next captain of North Melbourne.
He was joint vice-captain with Drew Petrie last year and is the stand-alone VC this year.
External talk was that he would replace Andrew Swallow this season, but the players voted otherwise.
Maybe they wanted more consistency from Ziebell, another season to develop. Maybe Swallow, having taken the team to consecutive preliminary finals, earned the right to go again.
It wouldn’t have phased Ziebell.
He’s an old-school kind of footballer. He’s been driven from day one, he likes a beer with the lads, and goes to work on the field with a ferocious competitive spirit.
It’s that spirit that endears him to his teammates, the coach and the rest of the footy world.
Scott needs a Voss type. Hell, all teams need a Voss type.
Clearly, Ziebell plays with that edge. In 2011, commentator Paul Roos said he wasn’t fit enough to be a midfielder and Ziebell used that comment as motivation. Word has it Scott still reminds him of Ross’ stinging criticism every time the Kangas play Melbourne.
He does have some deficiencies. He tends to hack the ball forward out of stoppages which turns 100 per cent Kangas ball into 50-50 contests and when he plays full-time midfield, more possessions could be demanded.
But he’s quality over quantity guy who doesn’t really spread for easy balls. He’s a stay-at-the-contest player, evident by his 19 tackles against Melbourne a fortnight ago.
In that game, he left the field with what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury, only to return and ravage himself at contest and after contest.
On Saturday night, the Kangas play Gold Coast away. The Suns have been a thorn for the Kangas, having lost their past three encounters, two at Carrara and one at Etihad Stadium.
It’s one of those games the Kangas can ill-afford to lose.
It’s one of the games the likes of Bartel, Voss and Riccuito simply got their team over the line.
FIVE THINGS WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN ROUND 5
1. Melbourne v Richmond: Can the Demons win two and a row and in doing so, almost surely end Richmond’s hopes of playing September? Time to announce yourselves, Melbourne.
2. Collingwood v Essendon: And people didn’t want this game to be played on Anzac Day. It’s the perfect scenario: Collingwood under siege and Essendon underestimated.
3. St Kilda: Could’ve, should’ve, but didn’t against the Hawks last week and the Saints desperately need reward for effort. The Giants would be a huge scalp.
4. Port Adelaide: Went to the well internally last week and came up dry and Ken Hinkley called it embarrassing. Have to be competitive against the Cats or else it’s crisis.
5. The bugle: There’s not a more profound moment than standing to the lone bugle player over Anzac weekend. People whinge about it being played at every game, yet it’s only more recognition and respect. How can that be wrong?
Originally published as Jack Ziebell earning big moment reputation, similar to Jimmy Bartel at the same age
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