He’s a good country boy at heart, so when Jack Ziebell saw the opportunity to give back to grassroots football, he jumped at it.
“Michael Firrito is built tough. He’d be a fantastic country footballer. Ben Cunnington kicked 10 goals on debut as a 15-year-old, he’d still dominate in the country. But he does still wear his tracksuit pants around everywhere down here.” – jack ziebell
The North Melbourne vice-captain recently teamed up with clothing company Duce Urban and created his own cap paying homage to his junior club the Wodonga Bulldogs.
Featuring a large ’W’ on the front, proceeds from the sales of the hat will be given back to the team he grew up playing for.
“I know they’ll be able to use some extra money for new footballs, uniforms, training equipment and facilities,” Ziebell said.
“It’s just a small way to give back to the club that gave me so much in my junior days.”
At 13 and 14 Ziebell played both fourths (Under-14s) and thirds (Under-17s) at Mitta Mitta in the nearby Tallangatta and District Football League on Saturdays before playing Wodonga juniors on Sundays.
At just 15 years and five months, Ziebell became the youngest Wodonga Bulldog player to make a senior debut when he lined up against North Albury in 2006.
“I have some great memories of my playing days there and I’m really delighted to be in a position now where I can help out in a more meaningful way off the field,” he said.
“This is a great initiative and I’m really excited about it. I hope people like my design and get behind the idea.”