North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell played through a number of injuries during the 2017 season, although Roos coach Brad Scott detailed just how sever those injuries were on Friday night.
Speaking at North's best and fairest awards night on Friday, Scott said the coaching staff wanted to give Ziebell multiple rests throughout the season, but despite some bad injuries, the 26-year-old refused to have a break.
"I certainly don't want to embarrass Jack," Scott told the crowd at the Syd Barker Medal count.
"But there were times throughout the season when we wanted to rest him, mainly to protect him from himself, because of a broken collarbone, because of cracked ribs (and) a severely injured toe, which he's had fixed up just recently.
"Jack simply refused to lie down and pushed through a lot of the time at his own expense."
Ziebell missed rounds 18, 21 and 23 this season, and played against Collingwood in round 20 with broken ribs, kicking five of the Roos' seven goals in an impressive performance.
The midfielder averaged 22.2 disposals, 3.5 marks, 5.8 tackles and 4.9 clearances per game this season, and finished sixth the the Roos' best and fairest count.