Dayne Zorko AFL: Brisbane Lions veteran proving age is just a number at 35

He’s the fifth-oldest player in the AFL but a reborn Dayne Zorko has been among Brisbane’s best players this season and is putting up career-best numbers.

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko is finding more of the footy in his age 35 season than at any time in his AFL career.

It took until November last year for the Lions to lock in their former skipper and five-time club best and fairest for 2024 but through the first five games he has repaid the faith in spades.

Only Josh Dunkley found more of the footy than Zorko in the Lions’ statement victory over Melbourne at the MCG last Thursday.

Lachie Neale (left) and Dayne Zorko of the Lions celebrate a big win. Picture: Getty Images

He has averaged 29 disposals per game over the past three weeks – a rich vein of form not seen since the middle of 2021 – and 25.4 on the season, which narrowly beats out his career-best 2017 campaign when he had 25 touches per game.

After graduating from livewire small forward in 2014 he has worn many hats in the maroon, blue and gold but his versatility has never been more apparent than the start of this season.

Already the 13-year veteran has played across every line on the ground as a pivotal plug-and-play option for Chris Fagan no matter the situation.

He started 2024 inside 50 where he averaged 20 disposals and 1.5 goals per game with occasional stints in midfield.

However, with the Lions yearning for some creativity across halfback after losing both Keidean Coleman and Conor McKenna to injury, Zorko was shifted into defence late in the Round 1 defeat to Fremantle.

Playing the freewheeling halfback role that the Lions so yearned for after the loss of Coleman, Zorko has been among their best each week continuing a remarkable career resurgence that began on return from a calf injury in Round 17 last year.

He credits a unique needling technique from a Brisbane physiotherapist as the secret to his return to full fitness and the proof has been in his performances.

Zorko has been in fine form. Picture: Getty Images

Not only has he found plenty of the footy this season, he has been among the most damaging with ball in-hand.

Of his 29 disposals against the Demons 21 were kicks – and only four of those were deemed ineffective.

His seven rebound 50s were second behind Melbourne’s main interceptor, Jake Lever.

The loss of Coleman to a season-ending ACL injury loomed as a dagger blow to Brisbane’s ball movement out of defence. But the re-emergence of their veteran utility has helped soften that blow and right the Lions’ ship after a disappointing 0-3 start.

Zorko is Brisbane’s fourth-rated player this season according to Champion Data – behind only Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Dunkley.

Not bad for the fifth-oldest player in the competition, who has had to get by on one-year deals since the end of 2021.