Dayne Zorko will miss one other match for the Lions, with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan taking a cautious method to the veteran’s return from a calf harm.
Fagan stated the previous Brisbane skipper was match sufficient to play in opposition to Richmond on the Gabba on Thursday night time.
However, 34-year-old Zorko’s absence is about to stretch to a fourth successive sport regardless of his eagerness to return in opposition to the Tigers.
“He’s fit to play, and he’s chomping at the bit to play, but I think we’ll give him another week (off) at this point in time,” Fagan stated on Wednesday.
“He’s a really 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 (on Tuesday) and he’s absolutely keen, but it’s common sense to prevail at this point in time.
“Nobody loves to pay more than ‘Zorks’, but it’s a long year and we need to make sure that he’s right to go.”
Fagan stated Zorko would have “probably” performed had it been later within the season.
“It’s more about looking after him, and the added bonus is that other players do get an opportunity to play,” Fagan stated.
Those others embody rising skills Kai Lohmann and Jaspa Fletcher, who appear prone to be chosen for a 3rd successive match.
“They’ve all had positive impacts since they’ve been in the team and we’re happy with their progress,” Fagan stated.
“Every game for them at this young age is an absolute bonus. We’ve learned over the last few weeks that we’ve got a couple of other guys who can step up.”
Fagan stated high-profile pair Daniel Rich and Jack Gunston, who have been dropped after Brisbane’s June 10 loss to Hawthorn, have been “flying” at coaching however wouldn’t be assured their spots again.
“Their bodies are feeling good, they’ve got energy, and they can’t wait to play. That’s what we wanted to get them to, so sometime over the next few weeks they’ll be reintroduced to playing … but there’s no guarantee that they’ll come straight back in,” the Lions coach stated.
Fagan anticipated a tricky night time in opposition to the Tigers, who received three successive matches earlier than having a bye final weekend.
The groups will meet for the primary time since final 12 months’s finals assembly on the Gabba, the place the Lions received a thriller by two factors to finish Richmond’s 2022 season.
“There’s a good rivalry building there. We’ve had some great games, the final here last year being the last one that we played. with a little bit of controversy, but one of the great finals,” Fagan stated.
“We’re aware that their form is very good, and they’ve been clearly over the last eight years one of the best teams in the competition, and they’re building.
“They’ve got to win to keep pushing for a finals berth, and we’ve got to win to keep pushing for that top two if we can.”
Originally printed as Eager Brisbane Lions star Dayne Zorko to overlook fourth successive sport
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
