Luke Hodge believes the Lions can benefit from using veteran Dayne Zorko across the half-back line
With Brisbane’s defensive depth being tested, Lions great Luke Hodge would like to see the versatile Dayne Zorko spend plenty of time in the backline.
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Former Lions star Luke Hodge has called for veteran Dayne Zorko to spend more time in a depleted Brisbane defence.
The Lions’ defensive woes continued this week when off-season recruit Tom Doedee suffered a partial tear of his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament that he ruptured 10 months ago while playing for Adelaide.
The indefinite unavailability of Doedee, who was set to make his first AFL appearance for the Lions on Thursday night against Collingwood at the Gabba, comes at a time when Brisbane is already without half-backs Keidean Coleman (ACL) and Connor McKenna (hamstring).
In the absence of the silky Coleman and the pacy McKenna, Hodge would love to see Zorko have an extended run across the Lions’ half-back line.
The former Lions captain has been named in the forwards for Thursday’s grand-final rematch but such is his versatility, he could yet be used at the opposite end of the park.
And that would please four-time AFL premiership-winner Hodge.
“I still like Zorko playing across halfback,” Hodge said.
“His skill, his smarts, and his ability to be able to run and link up is a good as any.
“He hasn’t played much defence. He was there a little bit last year, but he’s someone they can throw back there.”
Another of Brisbane’s defenders, Brandon Starcevich, will make his 100th AFL appearance, with Hodge predicting he would be in for a tough night trying to contain Magpies forward Jamie Elliott.
“You probably think he’d be getting Jamie Elliot, so he’s got his hands full,” Hodge said.
Starcevich said it was “extra special” to chalk up a century of AFL appearances at a “great club like the Brisbane Lions”.
“Milestones are a nice reward for players due to the hard work and sacrifices required to play at the elite level,” the West Australian product said.
“However, we have a huge Easter blockbuster against Collingwood to prepare for so that’s where my full focus is.
“The stage is set for us to come out and get our first win of the season against the reigning premiers in front of a sold out home crowd at the Gabba and we all can’t wait.”
It’s not just the Lions chasing their first win of the season, with the Magpies having started their title defence with three successive losses.
“They’re too good of a team to go to zip and four, but then you look at who they’re coming up against. The Lions are sitting there at zip and two,” Hodge said.
“The pressure’s on both teams but you would hope that the Lions’ home ground advantage at the Gabba would get them home.”
Co-captain Lachie Neale returns for the Lions from a hamstring injury in one of three changes to the Brisbane team that lost to Fremantle by 23 points.
Defender Jack Payne has also been recalled, while ruckman Darcy Fort is set to make his first AFL appearance of the season.
The casualties are the injured McKenna and axed pair Jarryd Lyons and Darcy Gardiner.
The TAB Pool Room will open at the Gabba on Thursday night.
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Originally published as Luke Hodge believes the Lions can benefit from using veteran Dayne Zorko across the half-back line
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