The AFL’s strict rule on when players can serve their suspensions has left North Melbourne midfielder Jack Ziebell frustrated ahead of his delayed start to the season.

Ziebell will return to the Kangaroos’ side for their big Sunday twilight clash against Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

He received a three-game ban in round 23 last year for front-on contact with St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt.

It meant Ziebell missed round 24, but he could not serve the remaining two matches during the pre-season.

Ziebell feels the system is confusing and points to team-mate Drew Petrie and Richmond defender Reece Conca to argue his point.

“I was a little bit disappointed,” he said.

(There are) guys who were suspended last year and are allowed to play in the NAB Cup and don’t get to serve their suspension, and guys like Reece Conca, who are suspended in the NAB Cup and get to serve it in the NAB Cup – I think that’s a little bit unfair.

“Maybe there’s something that can be done about that.”

But the AFL’s view is that you cannot serve a suspension in a lesser competition.

It meant Petrie had to wait until round one of the premiership season last year to serve the suspension he received in the NAB Cup, because North only had NAB Challenge matches in between.

But Conca benefited from this year’s new round robin format for the pre-season.

Conca received a three-match ban in round one of the NAB Cup and was able to serve all of them before the regular season started.

Ziebell played through the NAB Cup before extending his pre-season as he served the rest of his suspension.

“I’ve had a couple of extra running sessions throughout the week and some training sessions with the other boys who can’t play,” he said.

“It hasn’t been too much fun, but I’m really looking forward to getting out there on the weekend.”

Sunday’s clash against the reigning premiers is a big test for the `Roos, who finished ninth last year as they struggled against top-four teams.

Geelong will come off a six-day break following their bruising two-point win over Hawthorn, while North cantered to a 129-point win over Greater Western Sydney in Hobart.

But Ziebell has no doubt that the Cats will be ready.

He said several North players went to the MCG on Easter Monday to watch the latest instalment of the Geelong-Hawthorn rivalry.

“There were a fair few boys sitting there thinking it’s a good game to not be playing in, if you like,” Ziebell said.

“They (Geelong) will be right, they’re a very senior side with lots of senior players, so it shouldn’t be an issue for them to come up on a six-day turnaround.”