By Nick Wright
Brisbane Lions forward Cameron Rayner has declared star man Dayne Zorko does not need to change his aggressive play style, despite the former skipper’s concerning number of trips to the AFL tribunal.
Zorko will return from a one-game suspension when his side takes on the Sydney Swans at the Gabba – a clash that will mark 100 games for Rayner.
Dayne Zorko of the Lions and Harrison Petty of the Demons clash during the 2022 second semi-final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The 34-year-old has fronted the judiciary 13 times in his 231-game career in Lions colours; eight for striking, four for other misconduct charges and a staging fine.
His latest – for face contact against the Hawks – was challenged by the Brisbane club.
Zorko has only received three one-week bans, with the rest of his indiscretions garnering fines.
He has long been one of the Lions’ major weapons, having kicked 217 goals throughout his tenure while bringing a level of aggression that poses an intimidating threat to rivals in a contest.
However, on the back of two consecutive losses as they cling to the top four on points percentage, the club’s best men need to remain on the park rather than risk time on the sidelines.
Despite this, Rayner said Zorko’s physicality made him so crucial to their cause.
“Zork’s a very competitive person, he attacks the contest really hard and that’s what we love him for. He brings energy to the group with his pressure and things like that.
“He’s very pivotal to that, he’s one of the blokes that drives it, so it’s good to have him back and I know he’ll be out there setting the tone.
Dayrne Zorko and Darcy Fort celebrate.Credit: Getty Images
“Obviously you’ve got to be careful doing things like that, but that’s just the way he plays.
“But we need to make sure that when he’s not there we can still do that ourselves, and someone needs to grab the reins and really go for it.”
Rayner, the Lions’ former number one draft pick, will enter his 100th game on Friday night having added a new string to his bow in 2023.
Off contract at season’s end, the 23-year-old was trialled in the backline early in the campaign – an option floated as he overcame a ruptured ACL in 2021 – before being thrust up front once again.
Cameron Rayner will play AFL game No.100 when the Lions face the Swans on Friday. Credit: Getty Images
Rayner has not ruled out a potential shift back to defence as needed.
“I’m not sure to be honest [if I’ll be moved to the backline again], it was just a conversation me and [coach Chris Fagan] had a couple of years ago before I did my knee and we thought there was an opportunity to try it this year,” Rayner said.
“I guess now doing it gives you the ability where if something goes wrong you can move around and be flexible with that.
“It’s something different, and I feel like it’s made me understand the forward line a bit better, which is funny to say playing down the other end.
“You can try and do things that made me uncomfortable in the backline, so it’s a good thing to learn and a nice little stepping stone to have going forward.”
