‘Balance is really important’: Ziebell on outer as Roos try to send off Ratten with win

Kangaroos interim coach Brett Ratten says a former captain is no guarantee to be picked for his final game in charge against West Coast.

North Melbourne’s round 20 clash against West Coast will be Brett Ratten’s final game as interim coach before Alastair Clarkson takes over. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Former North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell’s future remains unclear with interim coach Brett Ratten hinting he may miss the trip to Perth to face West Coast.

The Kangaroos are set to regain co-captain Jy Simpkin for Ratten’s final game in charge on Sunday, but he made no guarantees about the experienced Ziebell’s selection despite saying they were hurt by a lack of organisation in defence against St Kilda.

Ratten said the Roos’ match committee had to weigh a need for experience against the height and speed required in defence, adding Ziebell was also dealing with a sore knee.

Ziebell, 32, has played every game this season but started as the sub for three consecutive weeks, with two of those appearances unplanned after injuries forced late changes.

Jack Ziebell has been unable to nail down a backline spot since Griffin Logue’s season-ending injury, which could spell the end of his time at North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’ve got to work through it … he was out of the team, he wasn’t going to play, and then we lost (Charlie) Lazzaro last week with a back spasm,” Ratten said.

“Do we manage him and give him a spell? His knee has been a little bit sore.

“We need balance with some older statesmen in the team, also some youth where our future is going … trying to make sure we get that balance is really important.”

Ziebell is out of contract at the end of the season and could depart the club along with fellow veterans Ben Cunnington and Todd Goldstein.

Cunnington has been out of the side since round 8, while the Kangaroos have prioritised Tristan Xerri’s selection over Goldstein this season when the emerging ruckman has been fit.

North Melbourne could opt to give the trio a farewell game, with a round 22 home game against Essendon and a round 23 away game at the MCG against Richmond looming as the likely picks.

Ratten says a ruck pairing of Todd Goldstein and Tristan Xerri is still ‘something to explore’. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Ratten said he liked the look of Goldstein and Xerri rucking in tandem against St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall, and thought it was a combination still worth looking at beyond this season.

“I think it was something to explore, (Xerri) kicked a goal, which was great up forward … with both of them playing all right I think you can explore that moving forward.”

Alastair Clarkson had a hands-on role at Wednesday’s training session, with Ratten saying

he was ready to give the reins back following the West Coast clash.

“Just counting down the days, and post the presser on Sunday will be the finale … I knew what was coming, and I’ve had some real enjoyment,” Ratten said.

“(Clarkson) has been in the program for the whole week with everything, so he’s more out and about, adding his views on things.

“He’s had sort of a semi-coaching week, and next week will be full-bore.”

Originally published as ‘Balance is really important’: Ziebell on outer as Roos try to send off Ratten with win