Retired roo Jack Ziebell ‘king-hit’ in random attack outside The Osborne after final AFL game

North Melbourne star Jack Ziebell has been discharged from hospital after a violent South Yarra attack, with the veteran due to undergo facial surgery this week.

North Melbourne footballer Jack Ziebell has been left with a broken nose after he was punched and kicked as he fell to the ground during an unprovoked attack outside a South Yarra bar, where he was celebrating the end of his AFL career.

The 32-year-old was out with friends including Richmond’s Dustin Martin and Collingwood’s Tom Mitchell to mark his final career match on Saturday night, before he was set upon by three men outside The Osborne Rooftop & Bar.

Early investigations suggested the trio, who were unknown to Ziebell, were ejected from the Commerical Rd venue after a “push and shove” scuffle took place inside moments earlier.

The Osborne owner Simon Lennox told the Herald Sun it was a random attack which unfolded in front of onlookers outside the venue about 12.30am.

Retired Kangaroos star Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos with daughter Pippa after his final match, hours before he was randomly attack outside a South Yarra bar. Picture: Getty Images

“It was completely unprovoked, the party of men was not known, they may have been knocked back from gaining entry and Jack went outside by himself under the impression that one of his teammates may have been in an altercation,” Mr Lennox said.

“ … then he was king-hit by one of the men.”

The venue, which was celebrating its fifth birthday, had queues of people out the front and was full of footballers who regularly and safely hang out there.

Ziebell’s wife Shannie Byrne was inside with friends and many of his North Melbourne teammates who were celebrating his retirement following the North’s defeat at the MCG.

Those close to Ziebell said he left The Osborne to find a friend who was waiting in line to enter the venue when he was attacked by the three men.

Ziebell was discharged from hospital on Sunday afternoon and is booked in for facial surgery this week.

It is understood Ziebell was planning to have facial surgery after his retirement after he copped a facial fracture in the last quarter of a game against GWS in June last year.

The former North Melbourne captain had been having trouble breathing when he was sleeping so he was planning on undergoing a minor procedure on his nose.

The star player was randomly attacked outside The Osborne Rooftop and Bar in South Yarra. Picture: supplied

Earlier, a small trail of blood could be seen on the footpath outside the venue as investigators quizzed staff inside.

Detectives left the scene about 11am and remained tight-lipped on the assault.

“He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. I’ve been looking after AFL footballers for 35 years and never had something like this happen in that circumstance. It was a random attack,” Mr Lennox said.

It’s believed Ziebell suffered a broken nose and spent the night in hospital.

A North Melbourne spokesperson confirmed Ziebell suffered “facial injuries” and spent the night in hospital, while Victorian Police continue to investigate.

“North Melbourne is aware of an incident involving Jack Ziebell at a South Yarra bar overnight,” the club statement read.

“Ziebell had been celebrating his final match at a club function earlier in the evening and headed to the venue with a group of teammates and some staff following the event.

“He later exited the venue and was immediately set upon by a group of men in an unprovoked attack. He suffered injuries to his face and head and needed to spend the night in hospital.

Jack Ziebell was out celebrating his retirement game with loved ones when he was randomly set upon. Picture: Getty Images

Victoria Police confirmed the veteran footballer was punched and kicked as he fell to the ground before the offenders fled the scene.

“Police are investigating following an assault in South Yarra this morning,” a spokesman said.

“Officers have been told a 32-year-old man was assaulted in what is believed to be an unprovoked incident outside a bar on Commercial Road on Sunday 20 August about 1am.

“It appears the victim was pushed onto the road by the offender, who was in the company of two other men, before he was punched to the face and kicked when he fell to the ground.

“The trio then fled the scene.

“The injured man wasn’t seriously injured.

“Police are investigating whether the assault may have followed a reported push and shove scuffle inside the venue which led to the trio being removed from the venue”.