Dayne Zorko has had the last laugh after kicking two crucial goals in Brisbane’s stirring come-from-behind victory over the GWS Giants in Saturday night’s AFL semi-final.
Dominant in the first half of last week’s win over Carlton, it was a total 180 for the 35-year-old Lions veteran against the Giants.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dayne Zorko gets last laugh over GWS Giants rival.
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Zorko was run ragged in defence and put to the sword by James Peatling for two first-quarter goals.
He later gave away a reversal with ill discipline that led to another GWS goal, and couldn’t stick a tackle on Toby Greene for another Giants goal in the second quarter.
But he turned his night on its head in the second half when he moved further forward. Zorko earned a free kick for his first goal late in the third quarter, then kicked another in the last with an incredible soccer.
He celebrated as hard as anyone in the Brisbane contingent when the full-time siren sounded — right in front of Peatling.
“I think Zorks is pretty dirty on that reversal free kick that he gave away, he was looking to make amends,” coach Chris Fagan told Channel 7 in the rooms.
“Great from him. He’s 35 years of age, 270 games, he wants to win one (a premiership). He lifted.”
Another preliminary final marks an extraordinary turnaround for Zorko after playing last year’s losing grand final without a contract in place for 2024.
This time around he has already re-signed for 2025 — and he’s clearly got nothing to lose.
Zorko, who gave up the captaincy after 2022, was front and centre as he urged everyone to get involved in the team song in the rooms.
Fagan, meanwhile, instantly regretted a level of his post-match celebrations.
The 63-year-old rushed over to pump his fists in front of Brisbane fans with his players.
“Oh, I probably should pull my head in, really,” he laughed.
“I’ve never had a moment like that in my life so I thought I might as well take it.”
The Lions will now face Geelong at the MCG at 5.15pm on Saturday.
With Lachie Neale battling a Toby Bedford tag, Jarrod Berry (27 disposals) and Will Ashcroft (27) stood up in the midfield.
Neale finished with 19 disposals and seven clearances, after Bedford held the two-time Brownlow medallist to four touches and three clearances at quarter-time.
Beyond Zorko’s 25 touches and two goals, Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann kicked two alongside Joe Daniher’s match-winning four-goal haul.
– with AAP