By Nick Wright
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has declared veteran Dayne Zorko fit to take the field this week; however, he will not be chosen to battle Richmond on Thursday night.
The 34-year-old, who is off contract at season’s end, had not been sighted for the past three weeks as he tried to overcome a calf injury.
However, Fagan confirmed the forward was tracking well for a comeback, and his decision to keep him on the sidelines was to ensure he remained on the field for a deep finals charge.
Dayne Zorko is eager to play but has been held back to get him ready for the business end of the season.Credit: AFL Photos
He said that, given Zorko had already been sent to the casualty ward throughout the season, the club needed to take precautions if he were to be a figure in their premiership tilt.
“He’s fit to play and he’s chomping at the bit to play, but I think we’ll give him another week,” Fagan said.
“He’s a very important player to us; we just want to make sure he’s right because he’s been on that merry-go-round of soft tissue injuries this year.
“He trained really well yesterday and he’s absolutely keen, but it’s common sense to prevail.
“If it was a bit closer to the end of the year we’d probably play him, but it’s more about looking after him.”
Two weeks have passed since experienced Lions duo Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich opted to withdraw from selection consideration as they sought to overturn their respective form slumps.
The pair discussed with Fagan a training program to bring them back to their peak, with Rich in particular called out my AFL pundits for his inability to keep pace with his rivals in one-on-one situations.
Daniel Rich, along with Jack Gunston, has asked not to be considered for selection as they work to overturn their respective form slumps.Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Fagan confirmed both Rich and Gunston were tracking well with their program; however, no timeline had been put in place for when they would return to the fold.
He said that decision would probably come over the coming weeks, ruling them out of the Tigers clash at The Gabba.
“They’re flying at the moment, their bodies are feeling good, they’ve got energy,” Fagan said.
“Sometime over the next few weeks they’ll be re-introduced to playing. We’re still just waiting and seeing (on time), we’ll make that decision when we get to that point but there’s no guarantee they’ll come straight back in.”
