North Melbourne star Jack Ziebell to play final game in Hobart on Sunday

Time to say goodbye to courageous Kangaroo Jack Ziebell, Tassie fans

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 16. AFL. Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos during the round 18 AFL match between North Melbourne and Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, on July 16, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

COURAGEOUS Kangaroos Jack Ziebell will play his final game in Hobart against Melbourne on Sunday but it might not be the last time North Melbourne fans get to see him in Tasmania.

The retiring Roo wants a coaching career after he hangs up the boots at the end of the season, which would likely bring him back to the state in future seasons.

Ziebell, 32, arrived at Arden St as a 17-year-old when North Melbourne grabbed him in the 2008 AFL draft. He made his debut in round 1, 2009.

After 277 games, 183 goals and six seasons as captain, Ziebell will depart the game after 15 seasons with a farewell game against Richmond at the MCG in round 23.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 16. AFL. Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos during the round 18 AFL match between North Melbourne and Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, on July 16, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

After that, Ziebell hopes he is headed for the coach’s box, and his talent and know-how will not just be a sought after commodity by North Melbourne.

“I’ve played footy for 15 years at the highest level and it’s all I know,” Ziebell said.

“I’d love to be able to stay in the industry, in any capacity that may be _ coaching is an avenue I’d love to explore and do now.”

MELBOURNE. 09/07/2022 . AFL . Round 17. Collingwood vs North Melbourne at the MCG. Jeremy Howe of the Magpies floats in to spoil Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos mark . Photo by Michael Klein

Ziebell’s courage turned out to be his kryptonite, saying he might have stayed in the game longer had it not been for his physicality.

“If I didn’t play that way, I probably wouldn’t have got a game, so you rob Peter to pay Paul in that aspect,” he said.

Tickets to the first AFL game North Melbourne will play at Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval), Hobart, to go on sale, from left, North Melbourne skipper (captain) Andrew Swallow and deputy Jack Ziebell, with the first two tickets for the game against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) 2012

“I wouldn’t change anything about my career, except for maybe playing in a few more finals.

“I can sleep well knowing that I’ve given it my all.”

Ziebell played as the “super-sub” against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday when the Kangas fell five points short of breaking their 16-game losing streak.

They were 31 points down at the final change and came home like a locomotive, only to fall agonizingly short of a win that might have helped them avoid the wooden spoon.

“Zeebs’” final appearance at Blundstone Arena this week will be Alastair Clarkson’s return to the coach’s box after a mental health sabbatical.

Clarkson’s absence since round 10 was due to personal reasons amid the emotional toll of the Hawthorn racism probe.

It will be “Clarko’s” 400th game as coach, which will see him become the 13th person to coach 400 VFL/AFL games and the first to reach the milestone since Leigh Matthews in 2006.