Chorus behind Ziebell as captain

JACK Ziebell says he wants to captain North Melbourne as support grows for the inspiring midfielder to succeed Andrew Swallow.

Vice-captain Ziebell said he harboured ambitions for the top job but would invest all his energy in supporting Swallow.

Chairman James Brayshaw said this week: “I don’t know the time but there’s no doubt [Ziebell] will be captain”.

Dual premiership player David King wants a quick transition, citing Hawthorn’s smooth switch of Sam Mitchell to Luke Hodge in 2011.

“At the end of this year they’ve got a decision to make,” King told Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“To me Jack’s a style of captain you want to play for.

“He’s 24, he’s ready to go, he’s playing good footy, he’s played every game this year.

“Andrew’s probably a better speaker than Jack in a lot of ways, but Jack’s the real follow me Kangaroos-style of leader that they need to absolutely run the joint now.”

Ziebell won a game-high 11 clearances and kicked the winning goal to help drag the Kangaroos to last week’s crucial victory against West Coast.

He has urged the club’s supporters to refrain from booing Sydney star Adam Goodes in tonight’s Etihad Stadium clash in another sign of his blossoming leadership.

Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon has also sung Ziebell’s praises this year, calling for him to replace Swallow.