Ryan Lester expects Dayne Zorko to surge past the Brisbane Lions legends he’ll soon join as the evergreen energiser’s remarkable AFL career enters rare air.
The 36-year-old will play his 300th AFL game on Sunday when the Lions look to book a top-four finish with victory over Hawthorn at the Gabba.
Zorko will join Alastair Lynch (308), Marcus Ashcroft (318), Simon Black (322) and Kevin Murray (333) on an exclusive list of those to play 300 games for the Brisbane Lions or their Bears and Fitzroy predecessors.
Another season would likely see him pass all but Murray.
“He doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon,” long-time teammate and brother-in-law Ryan Lester said.
“He does it his way, which is why he’s such a good player. He’s got a lot of self belief, and you need it in this game.”
The oldest person to make an All-Australian side in last year’s premiership campaign has again been influential as an attacking weapon out of the Lions’ backline.
His transition to the back six is a move Lester partly credits to a career resurgence that’s seen him play 60-straight games since there were question marks over his future in 2023.
Zorko’s achievements are more extraordinary considering he was overlooked in four draft years, traded from Gold Coast to Brisbane to debut as a 23-year-old.
“He’s going to go down as one of the legends of the club,” Lester, the only current Lion to arrive at the club before Zorko, said.
“Amazing career, considering he also started a couple of years later, and the last couple of years has been a real pleasure having him in the back line.”
Lester and Zorko, who relinquished the captaincy to Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale two years ago, have formed the nucleus of an unofficial leadership group that meets weekly.
Joe Daniher was the third member before his retirement last season, with Josh Dunkley and Lincoln McCarthy joining this season.
They meet a day after the Lions’ official leadership meeting and ensure the players are all on the same page.
“It’s not groundbreaking stuff, and I’m not taking any credit for changing the course of the season or anything like that,” Lester said.
“I just think it’s a great outlet for me and Zork to chat about the club.”
Brisbane will finish second or third if they beat the Hawks.