News of Jack Ziebell’s recent two-year contract extension was music to the ears of Kangaroos fans. The skipper looks set to finish his career as a one-club man.

The ninth selection in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, Ziebell has come to personify all that is great about North Melbourne, with his team first approach, never-say-die attitude and assertive style of play seeing him register almost 250 games for the club.

A revelation off the half back flank this season, he’s launched himself into contention for his first Syd Barker Medal, with his previous best finish coming in 2016, where he finished as runner-up to Robbie Tarrant.

After committing to the club for a further two seasons, Ziebell says the decision to stay at the club was a no-brainer.

“I’m super excited to sign on for another two years. I love this club. It’s given so much to me and my family, so to be able to secure my future with such a young and exciting group, I can’t wait,” he told North Media.

“With what’s taken place over the last 12 months, and the acquisitions the club has made in terms of staffing, and player wise as well, it’s made my decision to stay very, very easy.

“The one club player aspect of my career is huge. The thing that motivates me the most has probably changed a little bit, but the number one thing is winning a premiership.

“This year was probably a bit disappointing in terms of win/loss, but I think we can agree in the back half of the year … we got to match it with some of the best in the competition.

“I can’t wait to get started again and get our club back to where we want it, and that’s playing footy in September.”

A steady leader in what is a transitional period for the club on the field, Ziebell’s experience proved crucial in allowing David Noble to acclimatise to his first senior coaching role.

As the season progressed and the team’s results improved, it was obvious the ideas and strategies Noble was implementing were well and truly beginning to take hold.

With his first season as senior coach now finished, Ziebell says Noble is absolutely the right person to take the club forward.

“‘Nobes’ is absolutely fantastic. He’s a great leader for our footy club and a great mentor for our players … we’re starting to build a really strong foundation for our club to head in the right direction, and that’s up the ladder,” he said.

“The greatest attribute of ‘Nobes’ is he just provides direction. At the start of the year when we copped a few hidings he did not deviate once, he didn’t flinch at all in terms of his preparation, the game plan, or our direction.

“He has full belief in our group. That sets the standard for the whole organisation.”

On the field of play, there is perhaps no player who personifies the Shinboner Spirit more than Ziebell. As he prepares to enter his 14th pre-season with the club, it’s obvious the club’s culture has had a massive impact on him over his career.

Carrying on the torch as captain, it would be nearly impossible not to draw inspiration from those leaders who came before him, whether that be the likes of Anthony Stevens, Matthew Larkin, Barry Davis, or anyone in between.

He says the great environment within the organisation is a huge part of why so many players are committing their futures to the club.

“The culture of our footy club, I hear, is unrivalled,” Ziebell said.

“There’s no hierarchy at all, everyone who walks through the front door is treated equally. Whether you’re ‘Boomer’ (Brent) Harvey and you’ve played 432 games, or you’re one of our volunteers.

“I love that so much … everyone’s here to help win. You’re all here for the same goal and that’s to help make our footy club great.

“You can tell when you walk in that the Shinboner Spirit is well and truly alive.”