Former Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mike Sheahan has questioned whether North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell has performed to the level some expected him to reach throughout his nine-year career.
After being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2008 draft, Ziebell has cemented himself as one of the league’s most aggressive interior players. The 26-year-old averaged a career-high 11.2 contested possessions this season, including recording 15 or more five times.
Despite his inside work, Sheahan isn’t sold on Ziebell’s credentials, believing he should be at a greater stage in his development.
“Maybe Ziebell isn’t as good as we expected him to be,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“He was equal sixth in the best and fairest in almost the worst performed team in the competition. He has to be better than that.
“His attitude is perfect, I have no query on that, but he isn’t polished enough for mine. As keen as he is to fill the role that he has got, I just wonder if he is as good as we thought he would be.”
Three-time premiership player Tim Watson conceded Ziebell lacks in some areas of the game, but is of the notion his good work isn’t conducive to positive acknowledgements.
“The other great midfielders that we have in the competition have a lot more balance in their play because they can go inside and outside,” he said.
“Ziebell doesn’t have the leg speed to be that damaging player on the outside. All his best work is done on the inside and some of it goes unnoticed because it is a lot of strength and bullocking type work.”
Ziebell averaged 22.2 disposals, 390.4 metres gained and 5.8 tackles in 2017.