AFL Grand Final 2023: Those close to Dayne Zorko reflect on his journey ahead of 250th game and grand final
Dayne Zorko had to show a great deal of resilience to fulfil his AFL dream. Now as he approaches his 250th game in his first grand final, it’s that resilience that will be driving him.
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Overlooked in four consecutive drafts and twice unwanted by his hometown Gold Coast Suns, it’s fair to say Dayne Zorko arrived at the Brisbane Lions in 2012 with a chip on his shoulder.
Now, the football script writers who conspired to make his early AFL journey as difficult as possible are suddenly smiling in the twilight of his career.
The five-time club best-and-fairest winner will run out for his 250th game in Saturday’s grand final against Collingwood.
Both are milestones he once considered an impossibility.
“My journey is a little bit different to most but it just makes this even more special to be honest,” Zorko said.
“What an occasion to be able to run out at a full MCG on the last Saturday in September. It’s what all kids dream of doing and to be in that position I feel very honoured.”
As his older brother Beau said: “Dayne’s journey is one of resilience and persistence.”
It’s a journey that began long before he pulled on a Brisbane jumper for the first time 11 years ago.
“Dayne was the mascot for my under-8s team at Surfers Paradise. He was only four then,” Beau said. “He nearly had 100 games up by the time he finished under-8s.”
And so began a love affair with footy that has driven him all the way to the game’s biggest stage.
After captaining Queensland at the National Under-18 Championships in 2007 and being named his state’s best player, Zorko was bullish about his draft chances.
Beau recalled a meeting between his brother and current Collingwood footy boss Graham Wright – then at Hawthorn – before that year’s draft, where the Hawks indicated they were in the market for a small forward. Zorko of course, fit the bill.
But so did Cyril Rioli, who the Hawks instead selected with pick No.12. They then circled around and added veteran Stuart Dew with their 45th selection.
The pair played key roles in the Hawks’ 2008 premiership success, while Zorko returned to pull on the hoops at the Broadbeach Cats on the Gold Coast.
“He was bitterly disappointed he didn’t get picked up that year,” Beau said.
In March 2009, Zorko, then 20, was invited by the Suns to train with their newly-minted TAC Cup under-18 side. He hoped to snag a contract for the following season, but the Suns’ interest quickly cooled.
Another two drafts came and went without his name being called.
Each of those moments could have broken the future 250-gamer. They very nearly did – but for some sage advice from a new-found ally at Broadbeach.
“A man by the name of Geoff Bauer got involved at Broady and he instated a coach by the name of Matt Angus,” Beau said.
“Geoff was close with Norm Dare who had worked at the (Brisbane) Bears with a fellow called Gary Fox. So in came Gary Fox to Broadbeach and along with Matt Angus, they were the first two to sit down with Dayne.
“Because he had been knocked back so many times at that stage it’s not that he had lost interest … but I think by his own admission he felt that maybe his opportunity had come and gone. He was ready to just get by playing state footy and winning best and fairests at his local club.
“That’s where a fresh set of eyes helped. Matt had watched him closely and said, ‘Mate, we really believe you have what it takes, how about you give it another crack?’
“Dayne didn’t leave a stone unturned that summer and had an outstanding season.”
The crowning moment of his 2011 campaign came in a state game against Western Australia. According to Beau, Zorko “kicked six goals and just about won the game for Queensland off his own boot”.
Only four snags came from his brother’s boot, though they accompanied 30 disposals and eight tackles in a best-on-ground showing.
Mature-age recruits had slowly crept back into vogue in the AFL and the Lions finally took notice of the 175cm mid-forward who was playing his footy a short trip down the M1.
And so came the 2011 national draft, where Zorko was first chosen by the Suns as a Zone Selection but only as a trade piece to ship off to the Brisbane Lions.
He was part of a three-way swap that sent Lions ruck Mitch Clark to Melbourne and Demons defender Matthew Warnock to the Gold Coast.
It took four years longer than expected, but Zorko was finally on an AFL list.
In his fourth AFL season, 2015, Zorko landed his first club best and fairest at Brisbane.
Just as he had at Broadbeach, the man they quickly dubbed “The Magician” began piling them up. He saluted again in 2016, 2017 and 2018. One more came in 2021.
Playing predominantly as a small forward he was the Lions’ leading goalkicker in 2016 and ’17 – earning All Australian honours in 2017 after averaging 1.6 goals per game.
When Dayne Beams stepped down from the Brisbane captaincy the following year it was Zorko who filled the void.
“He took over the captaincy at a difficult time (for the club) and led the troops particularly well with his energy and enthusiasm,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said. “He was the right man at the right time.
“I’m so pleased for him that we’re going to a grand final. That’s his dream … it’s fitting for him because he’s been such a huge part of what we’ve been about the past seven years.”
Beau believes his brother’s rollercoaster ride to the AFL gave him a rare outlook on the game that made him a valuable captain in the club’s time of need.
It also helped Zorko come to terms with stepping down from the role in lieu of Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews taking over this season.
“No doubt it built his resilience – it had a pretty significant impact on the way he captained, because he wasn’t adverse to setbacks,” Beau said.
“He took over the captaincy at a time when a wonderful mentor in Chris Fagan came through the door and ‘Fages’ really helped Dayne mould his leadership style. He really valued having Fages to lean on in that time.
“I have no doubt (giving up the captaincy) was a tough decision for him. In saying that, he was really mindful that he wasn’t going to be at the club forever and it was probably an ideal time, in terms of the next leaders being there, to step down.”
Zorko entered season 2023 with a question mark over his future. To some degree there still is.
He does not have a contract for next season and the club has not indicated if or when that might come.
The man himself doubled down on his desire to play on in 2024, win or lose on Saturday.
“I’ve seen a little bit of this (retirement talk) over the last 24 hours – I don’t know what that speculation is or why,” Zorko mused.
“You always seems to knock down players when they get to a certain age … that they must retire.
“My football has been as good as it’s been over my career over the past 12 months. My body is in really good shape. There’s no reason why I wouldn’t consider playing next year.”
Zorko’s driving force for the past few years has been to deliver a premiership to the club that wanted him when no one else did.
He responded to last year’s preliminary final hammering at the hands of Geelong by dropping 9kg in the off-season – determined to not let his premiership chance slip.
Since overcoming a calf strain midway through the season, he has hit form resembling the very best of his career.
One by one this week, his teammates lined up to pay tribute to a true Lions great.
“I love that bloke,” Neale declared. “He’s been an amazing mentor and friend of mine for the past five years … 250 games, what a way to bring that up in a grand final.
“His passion and love for this club is unrivalled. He’s been through some really tough times with this footy club and hopefully we can deliver a premiership medallion for him.”
Lincoln McCarthy was drafted to Geelong in the same year Zorko finally got his Lions chance. This week the forward reflected on his former skipper’s impact on the club.
“I was thinking about him as I was driving in today,” McCarthy said.
“On the field he’s the ultimate competitor. You see it come out in many different ways – some that he might regret – but we love him.
“He might not be the biggest bloke, but we all walk taller when he’s in the side with us.
“When ‘Zorks’ is on the field I imagine the opposition would fear him, because he can do everything to be honest.”
On Saturday afternoon, pitted against perhaps the best back line in the competition, Brisbane’s forwards will have the comfort of Zorko’s silver service to fall back on.
Eric Hipwood wants to win a flag with his former skipper and then do it all again next year.
“To me he’s still 25 years old,” Hipwood said.
“He moves so well and his skills, especially by foot, when he gets the ball our eyes light up inside 50.
“What I’ve admired most about Zorks is the loyalty he’s shown the club and his consistent performance. If he was at a Melbourne club he would be considered an absolute superstar.
“It’s no surprise we want to celebrate his 250th in style. I’d love to see him go on again.”
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Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2023: Those close to Dayne Zorko reflect on his journey ahead of 250th game and grand final
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