North Melbourne skipper has new role for clash with GWS in Hobart

If Kangaroos skipper Jack Ziebell had plans of escaping life in defence against the Giants in Hobart, coach David Noble says think again.

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JACK Ziebell’s tenure as a defensive third tall ends today with the return of big Roo Robbie Tarrant and Kangas coach David Noble can’t wait to see what a freed-up “Ziebs” can produce against the Giants in their round 13 AFL clash in Hobart.

Don’t get too excited Kangaroos fans _ Ziebell is not headed back to familiar territory in the midfield or for one of his destructive forays in attack.

Noble says Ziebell is too valuable down back.

Tarrant, in his first game this season, returns to join Ben McKay and Josh Walker as the tall timber inside defensive 50m.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Robbie Tarrant (left) and Jack Ziebell in action during the North Melbourne Kangaroos training session at Arden Street on June 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Robbie brings experience for us to have a genuine third tall down there,” Noble said.

“It allows us to do something different with ‘Ziebs’.

“He has been playing as a tall, which is fine.

“Having Robbie back also gives us the flexibility to push Walker forward as well if we want.

“It adds to the dynamic of us being able to do a few more things with the team.”

Ziebell’s performance in defence is not to be underestimated.

“He has adapted to his role extremely well,” Noble said.

“I’ve been really proud of the way he has gone about it and really impressed with how he has learned it and what he has done with it.

“He has spoken to Robbie and Luke about playing down the back end _ he’s a real pro.

“Since I threw it at him earlier in the year he has taken it on and continued to learn and get better at his role.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Jack Ziebell in action during the North Melbourne Kangaroos training session at Arden Street on June 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“It is highly-unlikely we would take him out of defence. He will stay in the back end just in a slightly different role.”

The Kangaroos’ scoring potential increased with the return of Jaidyn Stephenson.

GWS had its own good news with acting skipper Toby Greene back earlier than expected from a fractured shoulder from round 9, while Adam Kennedy and Matt De Boer also return.

Having knocked off Hawthorn in Launceston, the Kangaroos are hunting a second success.

“As we continue to push hard to improve our game, we would like to think we will be more competitive than we have been in the early part of the year,” Noble said.

“The process continues to grow, so we are pushing for better results.”