Former Kangaroos captain Jack Ziebell ‘coward punched’, in hospital

More details have come to light after Kangaroos star Jack Ziebell was “coward punched” and taken to hospital with his wife in attendance.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos and daughter Pippa embrace after his final match during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 19, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne club champion Jack Ziebell has been the victim of an alleged “unprovoked attack” in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The former Kangaroos captain, who announced he is retiring at the end of the 2023 season, is reported to have been “coward punched”, according to SEN.

The North Melbourne Football Club confirmed there was an incident in a statement released on Sunday morning.

The alleged attack occurred just hours after he played his final game of AFL footy.

Horrid new details about the alleged attack were on Sunday afternoon revealed by The Herald Sun.

According to the report, Ziebell has suffered a broken nose during the alleged attack where he was punched and kicked after falling to the ground.

Ziebell was allegedly attacked by three men after leaving the Osborne Rooftop & Bar in Melbourne. There had been an earlier confrontation inside the South Yarra venue which resulted in the three men being ejected from the watering hole.

The Herald Sun reports Ziebell’s wife Shannie Byrne was inside the venue when the alleged attack occurred.

Many of Ziebell’s teammates and fellow AFL players, including Richmond’s Dustin Martin, also attended what was supposed to be a special celebration for the veteran footballer.

The Kangaroos confirmed Ziebell had suffered serious injuries.

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

“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.

Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos leaves the field after playing his final game on Saturday. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

“He suffered injuries to his face and head and needed to spend the night in hospital.

“Victoria Police attended the incident.”

SEN’s Tom Morris reported Ziebell will likely need facial surgery as a result of the injuries.

Leading footy journalist Damian Barrett described the incident as “shocking and horrific”.

“Jack Ziebell should’ve been celebrating the to end a wonderful career. Instead he spent the night in hospital after being bashed by a group of thugs in an unprovoked attack, and he might need facial surgery today,” he said on The Footy Show.

“Just to give you some detail, I have spoken to North Melbourne this morning.

Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos leads his team on to the ground. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“Staff obviously really shaken up by what’s occurred. After the Richmond match, North had a function. Jack then carried on to the Osborne Bar in South Yarra, a separate venue.

“He went with past players, staff from North, friends and family. We understand a group of men were hassling Ziebell and his friends and security asked that group to leave. 

“Some time later, Jack went outside the venue to get one of his friends who’d arrived at the bar that group of men then saw him and set upon him.

“He has been taken to hospital significant injuries to his face and his head. And the club says he might have to have surgery today. So a shocking, horrific incident. We’re thinking of Jack and his family. And Victoria Police is investigating the incident.”

The 32-year-old earlier this month told teammates he will not go around again in 2024.

“I’ve given everything I can for this footy club, but I think the time is right for me to pass the baton to others to take us forward,” he said two weeks ago.

Ziebell was drafted to the club as a 17-year-old in the 2008 AFL draft and made his debut in round 1, 2009.

He was elevated to the team’s leadership group three years later at just 21 years old. He assumed the captaincy of the club ahead of the 2017 season and led the team out in 111 matches.