Jack Ziebell backs Andrew Swallow to return to senior football, says axeing re-emphasises North mantra
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/jac...a/news-story/7c72e940cfa9a32f4d6b7071390b2e67
NORTH Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell believes Andrew Swallow’s demotion to VFL football this weekend is simply a extension of coach Brad Scott’s mantra that was highlighted late last year.
Scott repeatedly said that no coach or player was bigger than the club when North let Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie depart Arden Street last year.
And following Swallow’s omission from the Kangaroos team to take on Gold Coast this Saturday night, Ziebell has backed his coach’s call.
“It sends the message that nobody is bigger than the club,” Ziebell told
foxfooty.com.au at a Canterbury sportswear event on Friday.
“Obviously it’s disappointing but for the young guys coming through, the message it sends is that if you’re not doing what’s right for the team — it doesn’t matter who you are — then we will bring someone in who can.
“I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that Andrew and Lindsay will go back to the VFL and do what’s required for them to come back into the senior team I would have thought. We look forward to having them back.”
The 26-year-old denied Scott’s decision on Swallow had anything to do with the former skipper’s age.
Swallow turns 30 on June 2 and has been deployed in an unfamiliar role this season as a high half-forward.
“If you’re doing what’s required, then age is no barrier,” Swallow said.
“In a sense Brent Harvey showed that for a long period of time. You are probably old in footy terms when you’re 30.
“If you’re doing what’s required, then who cares how old you are. If you are playing for the team and getting it done, then you can be 40 or 18.”
Werribee will host Essendon in a Round 3 VFL clash at Arden Street on Saturday afternoon and regardless of what role Swallow plays in that match, Ziebell expects the veteran to slot back into the senior team in the near future.
However he was non-committal when quizzed on whether Swallow should play his customary midfield position or as a forward.
“That’s for the coaches to decide,” he said.
“Whatever way he needs to he will do. But I’m sure he will go back and get some form and confidence. I have no doubt he will play well in the twos. We will see him back sooner rather than later.”
Ziebell himself is not concerned about his own future, despite the events of late last year and Scott’s more recent decision to send Lindsay Thomas (29-years-old) and Swallow to the reserves.
“If you start worrying about what’s going to happen in six to 12 weeks or two years, you lose focus of next week,” he said.
“What keeps you in the side is doing what’s required for the team on a week-to-week basis. That may change as you get older, but overall the basics remain the same.”
Based on that philosophy, all Ziebell is focused on is tackling Gold Coast this weekend and helping contribute to North Melbourne’s first win of the season.
To do so, he suggested limiting Tom Lynch’s influence is critical.