Hamstrung Dayne Zorko says he’s fit enough to play against Essendon on Saturday

Dayne Zorko’s injured hamstring has recovered well, with the Lions stalwart declaring he will be fit to play this weekend against Essendon.

Dayne Zorko (right) is confident he has overcome a hamstring injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko is “preparing to play” against Essendon on Saturday night after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury.

Zorko missed Brisbane’s 26-point win over Carlton last Friday night after injuring his hamstring the previous week against Fremantle.

He had been expected to be sidelined for at least two matches, but the 34-year-old former Lions captain reckons he will be fit enough to take on the Bombers at the Gabba this weekend.
“I’m going really, really well,” Zorko told SEN Breakfast with Pat and Heals.

“Fingers crossed the strength and conditioning staff are listening to this conversation because I’ll be putting my hand up for selection this week.

“I had a really good week on the track. I started a bit slow, but since then we knew it was going to be an injury that recovers really quickly and I’ve done everything right over the weekend and got through a mountain of work on Saturday morning.

“We’ll go all systems ahead as if I’m playing this weekend. Clearly, any setbacks or niggles will stamp that out, but for me, I’ll be preparing to play.”

Dayne Zorko says he’s ready to return from injury this weekend at the Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Before the Lions’ victory over Carlton, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said Zorko’s return date would be “based on what our medical people tell us to do”.

“I’m really open minded about that because anything that allows him to get on the park as often as possible is a good strategy,” Fagan said.

However, Fagan won’t prematurely rush Zorko back into an in-form Lions side that has won five successive matches.

“If you want to win a premiership you’ve got to have a deep squad. I feel like we’ve got much better depth than we did three or four years ago.” he said.

“There are a lot of fellows who have been waiting for an opportunity.”

Brisbane’s performance against the Blues was highlighted by a superb display from prized off-season recruit Josh Dunkley, who finished the game with 33 touches, 13 tackles, six clearances, six intercepts and more than 550m gained.

“I’ve always prided myself on the defensive side of my game,” Dunkley said.

“I feel like the rest of my game flows from there. so it was nice to be able to do that (against Carlton) and get the rewards in the end.”

Zorko said Dunkley was “just unbelievable”.

“It was phenomenal. I was quite speechless watching it on the night.” he said.

“His effort and intent was first class and that’s what we brought him to the club for, and he is delivering in spades.”

Originally published as Hamstrung Dayne Zorko says he’s fit enough to play against Essendon on Saturday