North's vice-captain told SEN’s Morning Glory he’s not one to be affected by talk outside the club.
The 21 year-old was publically criticised early last season for a perceived lack of endurance.
“To be totally honest I didn’t take too much notice about what’s said outside the footy club. Down here (at North Melbourne) we listen to the people whose opinions matter within the four walls of the club.
“I was in the coach’s (Brad Scott) ear and he was in mine. Along with Darren Crocker, they were giving me advice on what to do and how to improve my game.”
Ziebell says the club sets a high bar for midfielder fitness, as all clubs do, and the introduction of the sub-rule during the home and away season and two subs during the NAB Cup has meant he’s need to take his preparation to a new level.
“It (the substitute rule) puts a greater emphasis on endurance and player’s fitness out on the ground, because the sheer fact of the matter is the number of rotations has to drop because there’s not as many people on the bench.
“That puts even greater pressure on the players to stay out there longer and I think to be able to do that and play the game at the fierce rate it’s played at these days, players are going to have to be fitter as well.
“You can’t play in the midfield at AFL level and not be fit. That would just be letting your team-mates down.”
North’s momentary lapse early against the Hawks proved its ultimate downfall on Friday night, but Ziebell sees no reason to panic.
“We got one win and were a little bit slow out of the blocks in the second game. But then again, it’s NAB round one and I think everyone was a little bit scratchy across the board. It was a good start, but obviously there’s a lot to do before the start of the season.”
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