Senior Dayne Zorko (2011-)

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Dayne Zorko takes home his Fifth Merrett-Murray Medal

Dayne Zorko has cemented his position as an all-time great of Queensland football by joining Lions Legend Michael Voss as a five-time club champion.

The skipper could argue his fifth Merrett-Murray medal was the most cherished of the lot as it came in a season where he steered the Lions to the third consecutive top four finish at the end of the 2021 home and away season.

Zorko polled 340 votes for a standout season in which he recorded career high numbers for kicks per game while maintaining his lofty standards as one of the AFL’s best pressure players.

It was how he used the ball that really defined his superb performances, as he finished the season ranked in the top five in the AFL for inside fifties, goal assists, score involvements as well as pressure acts.

And just to add another bit of silverware to the haul he was also honoured with the covered Players Player of the Year Award.

In front of 540 guests at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Zorko received the award from Brisbane Bears legend Roger Merrett, Lions chairman Andrew Wellington and Senior Coach Chris Fagan.

The medal’s other namesake, Fitzroy Team of the Century Captain Kevin Murray, was unable to attend due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
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Year of the Great Dayne

If there was any lingering doubt about his lofty status as a Maroon grown legend, Dayne Zorko cemented his position as one of the All Time greats of Queensland footy in 2021.

The skipper claimed his fifth Merrett-Murray medal as Club champion for an inspiring season which ranked statistically alongside the best of his 10-year career.

Since taking over the captaincy, the born and bred Queenslander has led the Lions to three consecutive top four finishes at the end of the home and away season, a record that is second only to premiership skipper Michael Voss among Lions captains.

His 550 disposals for the season were a career best as were the 23 goal assists, which ranked five across the entire competition.

He was just as effective without the footy, ranking in the top 6 in the AFL for tackles and pressure acts.

His 35 possession, two goal masterclass against GWS in Rd 11 would rank among the finer individual performances of his career, however it was his ability to spark his side when they needed a lift that was the most impressive feature of his year.

After a loss to Melbourne in Rd 12, Zorko was the architect behind the thrashing of powerhouse Geelong in the Lions next outing.

And again, after a disappointing loss to Hawthorn in Launceston in Rd 20, it was the skipper who inspired the three-game winning streak that secured the Club a tip four finish.

He was best on ground against Fremantle and backed it up with starring performances against Collingwood and West Coast.

At 32, Zorko is showing no signs of slowing down and remains one of the premier players in the AFL.

Standout Performance: Zorks Turns Back the Clock in Perth

In one of his most dominant performances of the season, our Skipper turned back the clock against Fremantle in Round 21.

Putting on an absolute clinic, racking up 34 disposals, Zorko was the vital cog driving the Lions to their 64-point victory.

A staple of his game since being drafted, Zorks laid 10 tackles and kicked a goal to add icing to the cake.

Honourable mentions include his 35 disposal, 2 goal masterclass against GWS in Round 11 as well as his 34 disposal, 9 mark display against the Suns in Round 9.

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Season Averages

Disposals - 24.1 (Above-Average)

Kicks - 16.8 (Elite)

Marks - 5.3 (Elite)

Tackles - 6.1 (Elite)

Total Clearances - 4.5 (Above-Average)
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Zorko: The Boys Are In Great Nick

Dayne Zorko has seen just about everything at Brisbane, but never a group of teammates as fit as his current lot.

In the early stages of his 11th pre-season, the Lions skipper was in a reflective mood on Friday morning following the club's penultimate training session before they split for the Christmas break.

Zorko was buzzing about the enthusiasm of draftees Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann, the professionalism and skill of future father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, and the general conditioning of the Lions' list.

It's a far cry from his early years at the club where pre-Christmas training was all about building fitness – and hope – for a team battling near the bottom.

"Although COVID has been an issue, one thing it's allowed the boys to do is stay back (in Brisbane during the off-season) and really concentrate on their football," Zorko said.

"The fitness levels of the majority of the group have come back at is something I haven't seen before.

"I talk about blokes taking control of their own careers and a large portion of our playing group have certainly done that in the break."

Zorko praised Hugh McCluggage and Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, saying the midfield maestro was in his best shape since heading to Brisbane three years ago.

And then there's Cam Rayner, the former No.1 draft pick who had his 2021 destroyed by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Rayner is back in full training, and his captain loves it.

"He's a real energiser for us," Zorko said.

"Last year his injury was devastating for the whole group.

"Because he's such a caring person it's hard to see someone go through what he had to go through, but he's come back and done all the training, which is really pleasing.

"It'll just be a management thing until round one, but the whole playing group is really excited to get him back."
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Zorko Pre-Season Update

Lions’ skipper Dayne Zorko has undergone a minor procedure on his ankle and will be unavailable for the Club’s pre-season games.

The reigning Club champion will be ready to resume training next week and is expected to be fit for the Round 1 clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday, March 19.

Zorko has been troubled by an Achilles complaint throughout the pre-season and has only taken part in one of the Club’s match simulation sessions.
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Coleman Sidelined For Extended Stint

Austin also provided some good news on veteran Dayne Zorko who missed the AAMI Series matches with an Achilles injury.

The skipper is has returned to training and is on target to lead the side out against Port Adelaide at the Gabba in Rd 1.

“At the moment we are tracking really well,’’ he said.

“He will have a decent hit out on Friday and be involved in some play and we are hopeful he will be available for Round 1.’’
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Zorko to Lead Again in '22

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Dayne Zorko is set to clock up another Gabba century after continuing his reign as Lions’ captain for a fifth straight season.

Zorko has led the side in 82 matches since taking over full-time captaincy duties from Dayne Beams during the 2018 season.

In that time, he has led by example claiming the Merrett-Murray medal in 2018 and last season and finishing in the top five in 2019 and 2020.
His 550 disposals in 2021 became a career-best as were the 23 goal assists, which ranked fifth across the entire competition.

And it came at no expense to his trademark pressure, ranking in the top 6 in the AFL for tackles and pressure acts.

The 11th post-merger captain of the Club stands to join Michael Voss and Jonathan Brown in the centurion Club if he remains fit throughout 2022.

Last season Zorko joined Voss as a five-time Club champion and his leadership record is now second only to the original Lion King.

The born and bred Queenslander has now led the Lions to three consecutive top four finishes at the end of the home and away season.

The remainder of the Lions’ leadership group for 2022 will be announced prior to the Clubs Round 1 clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday 19 March.

Zorko said he was honoured to once again be chosen by his teammates to be their leader.

“I love this Club, it has a successful history and one of the things our playing group is most proud of has been our ability to put the Lions back in a position where we can contend for the ultimate success,’’ he said.

“I am inspired by the collective desire among my teammates to achieve something special and being entrusted to lead them means the world to me.’’

Zorko and Chris Fagan have been the central figures in the Lions’ resurgence and the Senior Coach says he cherishes the bond the pair have formed.

“He has been a huge supporter and a terrific sounding board for me, and I know his teammates respect and enjoy his positive approach and passion for the Club,’’ he said.

“The ultimate captain is one who sets the example for others to follow and in Dayne we have one of the most selfless footballers I’ve ever come across.

“His ability to win the ball and attack the game on offence is elite but it is his willingness to apply pressure that inspires his teammates and makes him an obvious choice as our captain.”
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Introducing Our '22 Leaders

Dayne Zorko and Harris Andrews return as captain and vice-captain and will be supported by another six returning players to an eight-man leadership group.
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Sigh of Relief for Zorko

Dayne Zorko will be given the chance to push for selection to lead the side against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday after receiving a favourable scan on Monday.

Zorko was subbed out at three quarter time of the Lions’ 11 point round one victory over Port Adelaide after experiencing discomfort in the lower calf.

Lions’ high performance manager Damien Austin said investigations had cleared the Lions skipper of any further damage and revealed the pain came from a slight tear to some scar tissue.

He will be available to play if he can complete a full training session on Thursday.

“Zorko had a bit of scar tissue from a minor operation he had about a month ago so there was a little bit of movement which gave him the sensation of a pull,’’ he said.

“There is a little bit of swelling there but we will try to get him up for this week.’’
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Zorko Justifying Fages' Faith

When Chris Fagan moved Dayne Zorko to half-back to start the season, a few eyebrows were raised.

Not because anyone doubted Zorko's ability, but after 200-plus games and five best and fairests, it seemed a bold move to shift a midfield prime mover into defence.

But after 33 disposals against Essendon in round two, Zorko backed up with another 31, including 13 score involvements, against North.

The 33-year-old captain attacks at all costs, makes lightning quick decisions, and hurts opponents with his incisive kicking.

He'll face sterner defensive tests – starting with Geelong on Friday night – but knowing Zorko can play forward, midfield and back is a nice ace to have up Fagan's sleeve for later in the year.

Zorko spoke to media last week about his role change and said that he was enjoying the shift.

"It's been an exciting new challenge", he said.

"It's been refreshing and being able to see the game unfold in front of you is something I've really enjoyed.

"I certainly haven't put a line through going back into the midfield but I'm happy to play wherever Fages needs me."

"We've got a lot of exciting new players coming through the midfield, and they've got to learn at some point. So if I can teach them from afar, it's only going to benefit the team and do us good in the long term."
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Zorko: "Hugh's a 'Wait and See'"

Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko says ace midfielder Hugh McCluggage is a "wait and see" for Saturday's game against Greater Western Sydney.

McCluggage left the field late in Sunday's loss to Hawthorn with a hamstring injury the club later diagnosed as "awareness" and is in doubt to face the Giants.

The 24-year-old moved slowly at Tuesday morning's light training run, but Zorko said that was no surprise given the game finished only 36 hours prior and the Lions had a long flight back to Brisbane.

"With Hugh it's just going to be wait and see," Zorko said.

"He's done everything right in the pre-season to give his body the best chance.

"These little niggles happen and Hughy's renowned for it to be honest, we're into him most weeks about little niggles.

"He'll probably train Thursday and see how he pulls up after that.

"He's deserved the right up to game day to be given an opportunity to play."

Zorko said the main talking point following the loss to the Hawks was clear – the 117 points conceded.

He paid credit to Sam Mitchell's men and said the Lions would have to tighten up ahead of facing the Giants.
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Zorko reveals gruesome details of finger injury

Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko is likely to be fit for the Lions Round 13 clash with St Kilda despite sustaining a nasty injury in Sunday’s loss to Fremantle.

The Lions fell by 14 points in Round 12 as the Dockers proved too strong late in an enthralling clash of two top four teams.

However, an incident in the second quarter drew the attention of fans. Zorko emerged from a contest looking ashen and holding his hand as blood poured to the ground, commentators speculating the Brisbane skipper might have tourn the webbing between his fingers.

Zorko revealed to SEN’s Pat and Heals the nasty details of the incident.

“That is a good result (not tearing the webbing), I believe the webbing would take a longer time to heal and would struggle healing,” Zorko said.

“But right on the bottom knuckle, it just got stood on and it just split straight open.

Best bet salutes for Cam after a nervous watch at Armidale - (SEN TRACK)
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“The camera probably didn’t have the greatest angle because I was holding it, but it was just spurting out like a chocolate fountain.

“It was quite bizarre, it was just all so quickly.”
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QScan Injury Update: Zorko to be Monitored

The bye looks to have come at a favorable time for the Brisbane Lions with the week’s rest boosting the possibility of captain Dayne Zorko not missing any football.

Scans revealed on Monday a minor hamstring strain for the midfielder, who was subbed out of Saturday night’s win over St Kilda in the third quarter.

Zorko will be assessed throughout the next two weeks for the Lions top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne next Thursday.
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Brisbane Lions defender Darcy Gardiner to miss five weeks after having fluid drained from his lungs

Whether Lions captain Dayne Zorko plays could be known as soon as next Tuesday after scans revealed he suffered a minor hamstring strain before he was subbed out of last Saturday night’s win over St Kilda in the third quarter.

Daly said they could be in a position to make a call on the skipper by next Tuesday’s main training session, but he could also be given up until game day to prove his fitness.

“He got scanned on Monday, he’s got a very minor strain. There’s a chance he should be right,” Daly said.

“If not, it will just be the one week, a good result out of what looked a bit rough at the start (when Zorko hobbled off the field).

“We won’t risk him at all. Our main training session is on Tuesday. If he’s making progress and has full strength we may give him up to game time.

“If not, we may make the call and rule him out.”
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