Jack Ziebell in hospital after alleged assault amid retirement celebrations
The AFL world has been left shocked after the retiring great spent the night in hospital.
Retiring North Melbourne great Jack Ziebell has spent the night in hospital following an alleged assault at a bar amid his retirement celebrations. Ziebell played his last game in the AFL on Saturday against Richmond and was granted a fitting farewell from the club and his rivals.
The Kangaroos great was celebrating his career with teammates and staff at a bar in South Yarra when he was allegedly assaulted outside the venue by a group of men. A club statement from North Melbourne confirmed Ziebell spent the night in hospital.
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Melbourne Police confirmed they are investigating the incident that occurred outside the venue. "Officers have been told a 32-year-old man was assaulted in what is believed to be an unprovoked incident outside a bar on Commercial Road on Sunday 20 August about 1am," a Victoria Police spokesperson told AAP.
"It appears the victim was pushed onto the road by the offender, who was in the company of two other men, before he was punched to the face and kicked when he fell to the ground.The trio then fled the scene. The injured man wasn't seriously injured. Police are investigating whether the assault may have followed a reported push and shove scuffle inside the venue which led to the trio being removed from the venue."
Jack Ziebell update leaves club rocked
Following the incident, Nine News reporter Alicia Muling told The Sunday Footy Show the club was shaken after the update. “He’s had to be taken to hospital, he’s got significant injuries to his face and his head and the club says he might have to have surgery today. So a shocking, horrific incident," she said on the show.
Ziebell debuted for the Kangaroos in 2009 after being taken with pick nine in the 2008 draft. He bowed out of the AFL on Saturday, with Richmond legends Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt also retiring in the same game as the Tigers won by 29 points.
with AAP
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