Zorko narrows focus as milestone grand final beckons

Dayne Zorko is trying to block out the prospect of a milestone grand final appearance but believes he’s done enough to earn a new AFL deal regardless.

The former Brisbane captain will run out for game 249 in Saturday’s Gabba preliminary final against Carlton.

Dayne Zorko of the Lions is tackled by Brad Crouch of the Saints during their round 24 clash.Credit: Getty

It sets up a tasty occasion in the decider should the Lions win, something Zorko is doing his best not to think about at the pointy end of his 12th season.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead,” he said of playing his 250th in a grand final.

“Obviously [it would be] incredible. To play one game of AFL is a massive achievement.

“To reach a milestone like that, not a lot get a chance to do it.

“It’s going to be pretty special if it happens this year and we’ll be trying our absolute hardest to get there.”

Zorko, who relinquished the captaincy this season, will be 35 in January and is off contract beyond this campaign.

Exciting pair Darcy Wilmot (19) and Kai Lohmann (20) both confirmed contract extensions on Thursday and Zorko hopes to be there with them next season.

“Yep,” he said when asked if he thought he was playing well enough to earn a new deal.

“Hopefully [list manager] Dom Ambrogio and the rest of the footy department sees that.

“Yes and no [there’s been discussions] ... obviously I’d love to play for as long as possible in a team that’s in a really good position.

“I got into the system a little bit later, as Fages tells me, hopefully means at the back end I can play a little bit more.

“We’ve got such a great young group of kids coming through ... me stepping in when I need to [as a mentor] has been something I tried to add.”

Brisbane trained behind closed doors on Thursday morning, Zorko saying key defender Jack Payne (ankle) looked to have improved from Tuesday when he only completed a light run.

“[He looked] pretty good; he ran today, I just had a shower with him, probably too much information, but he seemed pretty good,” Zorko offered.

“Payney’s always a difficult character to read, but from his expressions he seemed pretty happy and optimistic.”

Veteran defender Darcy Gardiner shapes as the man most likely to replace Payne in the back six, although Darragh Joyce is also an option.

Zorko has been impressed with the Blues’ late-season tweaks at both ends of the ground that have powered them to 11 wins from their last 12 games.

But he is confident Brisbane’s strong form and finals experience – Saturday will be a third preliminary final in the last four years – has them well prepared.

“All those experiences and defeats over four or so years will hopefully program into everyone’s head what not to do and we’ll get the result,” he said.

-AAP