A leader, a warrior, a Shinboner personified.

Since arriving at Arden Street as the ninth selection of the 2008 AFL national draft, Jack Ziebell has been an inspiration for teammates, members, and fans alike.

Renowned for his bravery and attack on the ball and opposition, the versatile No.7 sported a medley of cuts, scratches, bruises, and tape during his tenure as a Kangaroo, and never left the field after the final siren with energy left in the tank.

Countless times throughout his 15-year career, Ziebell would be the player to take that courageous mark, lay that tenacious tackle, commit to that 50-50 contest, and kick that vital goal. All of which is why farewelling the club champ is going to be that difficult.

Ahead of his 280th and final appearance against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, NMFC Media takes a look at some of the moments that have shaped the legacy of Shinboner No. 948.

1. Earning the captaincy: December, 2016

Following in the footsteps of North Melbourne greats, Ziebell received the captaincy from Andrew Swallow at the end of 2016, leading into his ninth season at Arden St.

He had been long been considered the Roos’ next skipper after first joining the club’s leadership group as a 21-year-old. After undertaking a three-year apprenticeship as a vice-captain, he became the main man.

2. Bossing the Bulldogs: Round 17, 2011

Recording 40 disposals in a match is no common feat, and it's even rarer for youngsters in only their third AFL season. 

Ziebell was playing just his 40th game when he registered his career-best possession count of 41 against the Bulldogs.

From his 41 touches, 20 were contested possessions, eight were clearances, eight were inside 50s and one was a goal. If the three Brownlow votes were ever in doubt, he also pitched in at the defensive end, laying six tackles.

It was a defining performance from a young midfielder who was truly beginning to stamp his name on the competition.

3. A tackle-fest against the Dees: Round 3, 2016

Known as someone who sacrificed his body for the betterment of his team, Ziebell's efforts on the chase and at the contest against Melbourne were tough in every sense of the word.

In a Tassie shootout that saw the Kangaroos prevail 21.10 (136) to 20.11 (131), he pinned opposition players 19 times to equal Jude Bolton's single-game tackle record set back in 2011.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore also managed to achieve the same feat five weeks later but Ziebell's tally of 19 was not bettered until 2022.

4. A September sensation: Semi-final v Geelong, 2014

With North Melbourne's season on the line in front of a packed MCG crowd, Ziebell stood up when it mattered most.

As the midway point of the fourth quarter approached, Ziebell marked and goaled with a thumping right-foot kick from just inside the 50-metre arc to put his side up by 25 points.

Ninety seconds later he did the same thing on the other side of the ground.

A mark on the lead out in front of Geelong's Travis Varcoe and another booming attempt that sailed through for a major proved match-winning for North Melbourne, as the Roos frantically held off the Cats to book a preliminary final berth.

5. Stepping down as skipper: January, 2023

Early 2023 saw one of the club's most influential captains make the unselfish decision to step aside from the role and help usher forward the club's next contingent of leaders.

"I think it’s the best time for me to step down from the role as captain," Ziebell told his teammates.

"It's been an unbelievable six years in the job, it's been an absolute honour to lead our footy club over that journey."

He was in the role for 111 games and celebrated his 250th appearance in royal blue and white as skipper.

6. A Jack of all trades: 2021

After plying his trade since his debut as a ferocious onballer, then becoming a reliable forward who notched several five-goal hauls, the No.7 redefined himself again at the start of 2021 season as a hard-as-nails defender.

Ziebell flourished in defensive 50 with his adaptability and maturity on show. He finished the season having registered career-high averages in disposals (25.2 per game) and marks (7.4).

While learning a new role, he set the standard behind the ball, breaking the club record for rebound 50s in a season (152), adding to his impressive resume as a footballer.

7. Determination defined: Round 18, 2013

North Melbourne fans will have dozens, if not hundreds of similar memories to this moment, which encapsulates what Ziebell was about as a player.

After laying a tackle on Melbourne's Jack Viney, Ziebell was left on his haunches and appeared to be in trouble.

In typical Ziebell fashion, before crawling across the boundary line for an assessment, he defied the pain to fly for a grab and lay a shepherd, helping his side clear the area.

He took a short break on the bench before returning to the field, copped another bruising knock almost immediately, then toughed it out to finish the game with 18 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

It was the kind of fearless display that saw him become a four-time AFLPA Most Courageous Player nominee (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), and one of the most beloved players to don the royal blue and white.

Interviewed after the game, he said simply: "It's the way I play my footy, and it's what I do."