Lions veteran Dayne Zorko confident Brisbane can bounce back from narrow loss to Melbourne

Having paid the price for lacking bravery in the dying stages of their loss to the Demons, the Lions are intent on making amends against Geelong.

Dayne Zorko (centre) and his Lions teammates reflect on their loss to Melbourne. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Former Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko said the Lions must be “brave” against Geelong on Saturday after a lack of courage cost them dearly in their one-point loss to Melbourne.

The Lions led the Demons by 28 points at MCG last Friday before a horror finish led to them losing 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104).

While Brisbane is still cemented in the top four, the defeat cost the Queenslanders the chance to narrow the eight-point gap between them and second-placed Port Adelaide, who lost by 50 points to Carlton.

We led (the Demons) for about 103 minutes so a fair portion of it was good, (but) unfortunately we weren’t able to fall over the line in the end,” Zorko said,

“The last seven minutes was pivotal to the result of the game.

“We just got a few things wrong skill execution-wise and probably a little bit of game management as well.

“We just missed that money kick a couple of times, and Melbourne, being a good side, made us pay.”

Dayne Zorko seeks answers for Brisbane’s loss to Melbourne. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Kicking down the line rather than taking the contest on in the closing stages also cost the Lions.

“Especially in that last seven minutes, we fell away with what got us in that position … (to) still be involved and brave when we needed to be,” Zorko said.

“The boys seem confident that they can fix up those areas and hopefully we won’t have a repeat of that.

“We’re going to have our work cut out for us (against the Cats) at the Gabba this weekend.

“We’ve got to bring our contest and pressure for four quarters this week, not 2½, or three.”

While disappointed with the Lions’ loss, 34-year-old Zorko was pleased to play his second successive match in his return from a calf injury.

“It was a little bit of a setback there that came out of nowhere,” he said of the calf problem that contributed to his four-match absence.

“It was a little bit frustrating but I feel like I’m starting to get my touch back, and I covered the ground a lot better on the weekend in a soggy, wet, muggy game, so it’ll nice to get back out on the Gabba this weekend and continue to build my form.

“My body’s in really good shape for this time of year, which is probably a blessing in disguise.

“You don’t often feel really cherry ripe at round 18, but I certainly feel really good and hopefully I can continue to help the team in our path forward.

“When you get your opportunities, you’ve got to take them.”