Resurgent Brisbane Lions to chase eighth straight win in QClash battle with Gold Coast

The Lions have been rewarded for taking risks in a winning streak that has lifted them back into AFL premiership contention.

Lions star Dayne Zorko (right) battles with Sydney’s Chad Warner during Brisbane’s two-point win over the Swans. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Lions will continue their pulsating “dance on thin ice” as they bid for an eighth successive win on Saturday against the increasingly desperate Gold Coast Suns.

Languishing in 13th spot on the AFL ladder in early June, the resurgent Brisbane now sits third after securing a seventh consecutive victory with a two-point weekend success against first-placed Sydney at a packed Gabba.

Lions stalwart Dayne Zorko said the form resurgence had come on the back of a risk-reward “mantra” introduced by Brisbane coach Chris Fagan.

“Dance on thin ice is what he (Fagan) is running with at the moment,” Zorko told the SENQ Breakfast show.

“That’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve been able to execute not difficult plays but be smarter in the way we play and move the ball.

“Yes, it’s risky at times but we understand the reward at the end of it. When those plays start coming off, you start building a lot more confidence and trust in that.

“That’s probably been the biggest turnaround for us. Blokes are just playing with a really clear mind.

“They’re free, they’re willing to take those 50-50 kicks more often that not, which in this game, yes, it can definitely hurt you but also hurt the opposition and with that, it’s become easier shots on goals for our forwards to then kick accurately.”

Dayne Zorko has been in superb form. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

While the Lions are roaring, the Suns continue to stumble on the road.

A 39-point weekend loss to the GWS Giants maintained Gold Coast’s unwanted record of not having won an away fixture this season.

As a result, the Suns are in 12th place, six points outside the top eight.

While their away form is poor, the Suns are yet to lose a home game – including two matches they hosted in Darwin – this season, which will give them confidence they can upset Brisbane in Saturday’s QClash at People First Stadium at Carrara.

“Although results haven’t gone Gold Coast’s way away from home this year, they’ve still played some pretty good football away, but we know at home they’re a different unit,” Zorko said.

“We’ve got a great opportunity to go down there again this weekend, and once again it’s going to be another test for us.
“We want to keep winning to finish as high up on the ladder as we possibly can, and they want to make finals for the first time ever, so this is a really important game for them.

“Both sides absolutely know what’s at stake this weekend, and we’re going to be ready for it, as they are.”

Veteran Zorko was superb in Brisbane’s 79-77 win over the Swans with 29 possessions, including 12 marks, in a performance that added further weight to his hopes of playing beyond this season.

“Until my body’s letting me down, or my form’s not warranting selection, I want to keep playing for as long as a I can,” the 35-year-old former Lions skipper said.

“I love the game. I love the club, and I want to see us succeed as a team. We’ve been on this journey for a number of years. We haven’t reached the pinnacle (of a premiership) yet, and I want to be a part of it when we do.”

Originally published as Resurgent Brisbane Lions to chase eighth straight win in QClash battle with Gold Coast