Senior Dayne Zorko (2011-)

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6) Dayne Zorko needs to play on in 2025​

Not only is Dayne Zorko Brisbane's oldest player this season, the 35-year-old could possibly be its best through 10 rounds. After some prolonged negotiations between player and club at the end of last season to extend his career by another 12 months, the five-time best and fairest winner has been on a tear in 2024. His 35 disposals and a goal against Richmond on Saturday continued a stellar season and came two weeks after a career-high 40 possessions against Gold Coast. Keidean Coleman's season-ending knee injury in Opening Round put a huge dent in Brisbane's premiership hopes, but Zorko's adaptability to revert to half-back has been a saviour and will surely see him go on to a 14th season next year. – Michael Whiting
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Six things we learned: This Hawk has been key to stunning surge

2) Dayne Zorko has helped revive Brisbane's season

It was almost a move of necessity, but Dayne Zorko's shift to half-back early in the season continues to reap incredible results. Keidean Coleman's ruptured ACL in Opening Round against Carlton took out one of the Lions' most important players for the year, but at the age of 35, Zorko has moved back and played some of the best football of his decorated career. He had another 30 disposals against St Kilda, including a match-high 13 intercepts, and was again a catalyst for victory. Zorko is well on track for a staggering sixth best and fairest win if he keeps this level of play rolling. – Michael Whiting
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Zorko: “We were locked in and wanted the win”

Dayne Zorko talks to media after the solid round 15 win against Port Adelaide. Zorks attended the Ronald McDonald House today to promote the importance of the charity and the link Brisbane Lions have with RMHC.
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'Absolutely elite': Exciting Lion right in the frame for senior return

BRISBANE faces one difficult question ahead of Friday night's match against Melbourne at the Gabba – bring Will Ashcroft straight back in at senior level or let him have a run in the VFL first?

Barring any last-minute mishaps, Ashcroft is slated to play his first game in almost 12 months this round after overcoming a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Ordinarily a player of Ashcroft's ilk would walk straight back in at the top level, but the Lions are suddenly humming with three straight wins and a nice mix in their midfield and forward line.

Veteran Dayne Zorko was posed the question on Monday morning and although being non-committal, said he liked what he'd seen from the 20-year-old in recent weeks.

"He's been doing some things at training that give you flashbacks to last year and the brilliance he showed in his first year," Zorko said.

"He's been training for a long time, and his touch, and hands look absolutely elite.

"That'll be a decision the coaches have to work out … but seeing what I'm seeing at training, he looks more than capable of coming in and doing what he needs to.

"I'm glad I'm not in that (match) committee."

Ashcroft played 18 games in his debut season, averaging 22 disposals, kicking eight goals and showing a maturity beyond his years in the front half of the ground.

Regardless of who runs out for the Lions on Friday night, Zorko said they had no reason to be complacent, despite facing a Melbourne outfit that has struggled in recent weeks.

"Given our start to the season we can't be complacent with where we are," he said.

"If we have aspirations of getting back to that last Saturday in September, we can't be looking too far ahead.

"We have a job to do on Friday night against the Dees, who, look they might be undermanned, but we know their best football is extremely dangerous and we need to be fully equipped for that and we certainly won't be taking any team lightly going forward."

Zorko said he expected Kai Lohmann to be available to play, despite the young half-forward leaving Saturday's win over Port Adelaide early with a corked hip.
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I have absolutely loved the season this guy has put together. I know it was last season he started to really mature up and not get into niggles and stuff outside of football. But just this season he has just wanted to get on with it. Always does the little things. If he doesn't get AA this season it's a rort. Hats off to him.
 
35 and no slowing down: Lion joins rare air in age-defying season

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WHEN Keidean Coleman went down with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament on the stroke of half-time of Brisbane's Opening Round loss to Carlton, a huge dent had been put in the Lions' premiership hopes.

Chris Fagan was without the most creative ball user in his team, a man who set up Brisbane attacks from the defensive half and a man who was named the club's Finals Player of the Year in 2023.

Coleman's boots were huge ones to fill.

And then Dayne Zorko stepped in.

Zorko is no stranger to playing high-end football, having won a staggering five Merrett-Murray medals as the club's best and fairest player.

The former captain was named an All-Australian in 2017 as a midfielder who could surge forward and kick goals as a half-forward.

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However, his 35th birthday had already ticked by and now he was being asked to play a new role and lead the team's rebounding.

Half-back was not a totally foreign role to Zorko, having been tried there sparingly in recent years, but you could count on one hand the number of games he had spent meaningful minutes there.

What he's done this year has been nothing short of incredible – both for his team and considering his age.

Champion Data has rated Zorko as "elite" in a swathe of categories for a general defender.

His 26.1 disposals a game is in that category, as is his kick rating, metres gained and score involvements.

Zorko treats the footy like a hot potato – there's an internal clock telling him to move it on as quickly as possible once he gains possession.

His quick decision-making, coupled with his risk taking and exquisite kicking (77 per cent efficiency) has often been the springboard for Lions attacks from behind centre.

Along with co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale, Zorko would be favoured to win a sixth best and fairest at this stage and should be right in the conversation as an All-Australian.

Last week against Gold Coast – the club that traded on his draft rights in 2011 - he won his second Marcus Ashcroft Medal for the season, with his 32 disposals and match-high nine score involvements instrumental in Brisbane's eighth consecutive win.

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He became the third player behind Dayne Beams (2017) and Jarryd Lyons (2021) to take the QClash best on ground award twice in one season.

Not only has Zorko been at the forefront of Brisbane's incredible turnaround in 2024, his individual season is turning out to be one for the record books.

For players aged 35 or older, Zorko is in the midst of a year bettered only by Brent Harvey (2013), Aaron Sandilands (2018) and Corey Enright (2016) under Champion Data's 'Relative Rating' scale.
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Lions star re-signs, Hawk rolls on, Port gun close to new deal

VETERAN LION TO GO AROUND AGAIN

BRISBANE veteran Dayne Zorko has secured a new deal to play on for a 14th season in 2025.

The 35-year-old put pen to paper on a contract for next season earlier this week, following a brilliant campaign from the fourth-oldest player in the AFL.

Zorko recently made clear his desire to play on and has now been rewarded with a contract that will make it possible for him to reach 300 games next year.

The five-time Merrett-Murray Medallist could become a two-time All-Australian next Thursday night and is expected to feature prominently in the club's best and fairest once again.

Zorko has averaged a career-high 25.9 disposals and 4.1 rebound 50s across 22 games in 2024, thriving in a new role at half-back after Kiddy Coleman ruptured his ACL in Opening Round.

The Queenslander didn't secure a new deal for this season until after last October's trade period, following the Grand Final loss to Collingwood.

Despite winning four consecutive best and fairest awards for Broadbeach in the QAFL, Zorko was overlooked in four National Drafts before being on-traded by Gold Coast to Brisbane in 2011.

Since then, the Gold Coast native has become one of the best players from the Sunshine State, captaining Brisbane between 2018 and 2022.

Zorko is now up to 272 games and could join Simon Black (322) as a 300-game Lion in 2025. - Josh Gabelich
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Lions pair earn All-Australian blazers

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Brisbane Lions duo Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale have been rewarded for outstanding seasons by being selected in the 2024 All-Australian team.

The pair were presented with their blazers at the AFL Awards in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Zorko was selected in the starting team on a half-back flank, while Neale was named on the interchange.

Earning his second All-Australian honour capped off a brilliant home and away season for Zorko who at age 35 produced one of the best seasons of his career.

The Lions’ veteran was a driving force in defence, racking up an average of 26 disposals and 8.2 marks – while using the ball with 78% disposal efficiency.

Brisbane Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly said Zorko deserved all the accolades that come his way this season.

“In a competition full of stars you don’t make the All-Australian squad, let alone team at the age of 35 without putting in extra work and being diligent with your preparation and recovery,” Daly said.

“It’s a real credit to Zorks with what he does at the club and away from it to make sure he is giving himself the best opportunity to be the best player he can be.

“He has been fantastic over many seasons, but particularly this year in defence and everyone at the club is thrilled for him to become a two-time All-Australian.”
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Senior Dayne Zorko (2011-)

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