Ziebell is a former top ten pick, taken with North Melbourne’s ninth pick in the 2008 draft. He is yet to reach the heights of a top ten pick but has been cruelled by injury in his early years, breaking his leg in 2009 while being restricted with niggling injuries throughout his career so far, playing more than 17 matches in a season just once, 2011 (21). However Ziebell has shown glimpses of what he is capable of when fully fit, highlighted by his 41 touches against the ‘Dogs in 2011.
After starting off his year in such fine fashion, he never really reached that level again throughout the 2012 season. Ziebell seemingly struggled to find his best form and when he did couldn’t quite impact games as heavily as he would have liked, breaking the 25 disposal mark just once yet dropping under 15 touches only twice, showing he struggled to take that next step from contributor to match winner. Although in North Melbourne’s elimination final thumping loss to West Coast, Ziebell was one who could hold his head high, he was one of the Roos best with 30 touches and 107 SC points.
He will be 22 come round 1 and having played 62 games, Ziebell is a prime candidate for a break-out year. Entering his fifth season his SC numbers have been on a gradual incline (see right) and he is now a strong bodied midfielder who thrives on the contest, a great tackler and future leader of the club.