AFL 2020: Brisbane Lions captain fit to take on Geelong

The Lions have lost Cam Ellis-Yolmen to injury but they have a handy replacement in returning skipper Dayne Zorko.

Dayne Zorko (front) is ready to again lead out the Lions. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Lions have the perfect ready-made replacement for sidelined midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen – captain Dayne Zorko.

The Brisbane skipper missed his side’s impressive 37-point weekend win over Port Adelaide because of a calf problem.

But with the unlucky Yolmen having suffered his own calf injury against the Power, Zorko looms as the ideal new face in Brisbane’s line-up for Thursday night’s clash with Geelong at the SCG.

“If a spot becomes available, the boys are going pretty well at the moment, hopefully I can slide back in,” Zorko said.

Dayne Zorko is fit to return for the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Regardless of Yolmen's fitness, Zorko is a certainty to return against the Cats.

However, the Lions skipper felt for Yolmen, who was just establishing himself in the Brisbane side after joining the club this year from the Adelaide Crows.

“I’m really disappointed for Cam. He’s point in a lot of work, not only in the pre-season but especially the COVID period, he did a power of work on his fitness and getting himself to a level that he was really happy with,” Zorko said.

“I thought the games that he’s played since the return have been fantastic and for him to be struck down by injury ... hopefully it’s not too long. He’s a really important player for us.”

Cam Ellis-Yolmen has been sidelined with a calf injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Zorko has also worked hard on his fitness, suggesting that while missing the win over Port wasn’t ideal, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

“It was actually really nice to get a good conditioning block under my belt. I haven’t really been able to do that for six to eight weeks now,” he said.

“To be able to get through Saturday morning’s session the way I did, and to pull up the way I have, it’s quire reassuring and comforting just mentally for me.”

Equally as “comforting” for the Lions is their status as the hottest team in the AFL, with their victory over the previously undefeated Power extending Brisbane’s winning streak to four matches and lifting them to equal favouritism for the flag with the GWS Giants, according to betting agency Ladbrokes.

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“We can’t control on the outside what everyone wants to talk about. All we can do is rock up, perform to our best ... do our process right and the rest will take care of itself,” Zorko said.

Having won four games straight at the Gabba, the Lions are relishing the chance to head to NSW for a hub.

“We’ve had a good little spell of games here, so it’ll nice get away and get on the road again,” Zorko said.

“It’s nice, a change of scenery. We haven’t travelled since round one so we do like getting on the road and getting away, and testing ourselves against really good sides.

“We’ve got to focus on Geelong ... we know there’s a big job at hand this week as well.”