Less than two months ago, Jack Ziebell was playing his final AFL match for North Melbourne, rounding out a 280-game career.
Now, he’s embarking on a new start at Tigerland, and is ready to hit the ground running in his transition from player to coach.
“To be offered the job last week was so exciting,” Ziebell, who spent 15 years at North, said.
“To come to a club like Richmond so proud in history and such a big club in Victoria as well… (is) an opportunity that I’m really excited for,” he said.
“Hopefully we can climb back up the ladder as quickly as we can.”
Richmond’s newest assistant coach, former North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell, is ready to hit the ground running in his transition from player to coach.
The 32-year-old said coaching had been in the back of his mind for a number of years as he reached the conclusion of his playing career and considered his next chapter.
“Probably the last four to five years, being an older player in the league, you’re trying to help develop the players as quickly as you can and help improve your team… I really thought in the last two to three years it was something I might go into after footy,” Ziebell said.
“I took a coaching role with North Melbourne’s AFLW team this season to dip my toes in the water. I loved it so much and what I was able to bring to the program was really enjoyable.
“That solidified the fact that I wanted to become a coach and then it was about getting an opportunity somewhere and I’m very fortunate to be offered a job at Richmond.”
Part of the appeal for Ziebell was the opportunity to play a role in the Tigers’ new era, led by recently-announced senior coach Adem Yze.
“Having Adem starting his first year at Richmond is really appealing to come on board with a new senior coach and help him implement his game plan and build the club the way he wants it,” Ziebell said.
“We’ve also got a really senior coaching group with Ben Rutten and David Teague and the appointment of Chris Newman as well, I’m really looking forward to working with and learning from those coaches.
“Richmond is quite a young, exciting list. So, I’m looking forward to getting to work with the younger guys and hopefully helping them develop their careers so they can become the best players they can be.”
Ziebell played all over the ground during his long career, but will be working predominately with the Tigers’ midfield alongside fellow new Tigers assistant coach Chris Newman.
And the fact that he is so fresh out of the game is something Ziebell expects will enable him to resonate well with the Tigers’ playing group.
“I was fortunate enough to spend the better part of 10 years as a midfielder and learning plenty of different stuff from plenty of different coaches,” he said.
“Our game is one of the most physically and mentally demanding games, so understanding how hard the game is is something I’ll be pretty empathic towards.
“Also trying to get the best out of each individual with their development and ability to hone their craft and work on their strengths and their room for improvement areas and make them better players.”
A natural leader, Ziebell captained North for six years between 2017-2022 and spent over 10 years in the leadership group, showcasing traits he believes will hold him in good stead as a coach.
“I enjoy working in a team and a highly-motivated group of people striving for one goal, and that’s exactly what this is here at Richmond,” he said.
“I’ve excited by the prospect of bring a skillset from my playing days across as a coach now, and I’m sure a few of those skills will translate well into coaching.
“One of the (drawcards) was coming to a new Club to learn a new environment, culture and program and new people.
“Getting to know the players really closely, not only as players but also as people, hopefully we can help them improve in every aspect of their lives.”
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