Dayne Zorko came to the Lions as a fresh-faced 22-year-old from the Gold Coast in 2011.
He’d worked hard to claim his spot on an AFL list after being knocked back at multiple AFL Drafts, despite winning four Best and Fairest awards for the Broadbeach Cats.
When he walked into the Lions locker room in November 2011 and sat in the number 15 spot, next to triple premiership player Jonathon Brown, he quickly made an individual goal for himself.
He wanted to play the most number of AFL games a player in the number 15 ever had before.
Zorko celebrates a goal with teammates Dan Merrett and Jonathan Brown during the Round 9, 2012.
It was quite the goal to set – with Fitzroy legend Eddie Goodger playing 149 games for the Lions.
But on Saturday afternoon, against the Gold Coast in #QClash17, the Lions skipper will achieve this milestone nearly eight years after he set it.
“A little goal of mine was to surpass Eddie Goodger who was on 149 games,” he told media earlier today.
“This for me, it’s great, I’m stoked that I’ve been able to reach that milestone.
“It was a goal of mine to become the number one number 15 games holder and it’s something I’m really proud of.”
His former NEAFL Coach Matt Angus warned everyone he would become a household name when he spoke to the Gold Coast Bulletin in 2011.
"He was the most influential player in the NEAFL and he will have a long and successful AFL career now he has an opportunity," Angus said.
It’s fitting for the 30-year-old to celebrate this milestone in his hometown of the Gold Coast where his football career began.
“Coming in as a 22/23-year-old, you know obviously, everyone says if you can play one game it’s great but to get 150 is an achievement I’m really honoured and really privileged to be able to reach,” he said.
On Saturday he will share his milestone with Noah Answerth, who will make his AFL debut for the Lions.
Answerth, a former Oakleigh Chargers Captain, was drafted to the Club this year and has made a strong impression on Zorko.
“He’s an absolute star,” he said.
“Really looking forward to seeing how he goes.
“He’s young, he’s got a lot of energy and works really hard.
“Hodgey’s taken him under his wing, Ryan Lester’s another one, I’m really excited to see what he will do in his AFL career.”
Zorko believes his team can bounce back after a disappointing two weeks and that the criticism is an indication that the team is being taken more seriously.
“AFL is a rollercoaster,” he said.
“You’ve got to ride the highs and pick yourself up from the lows as quickly as possible.
“We want to be a really good side and we have to deal with this sort of criticism.
“It means we are doing a lot of things really well.”
Zorko will share the field on Saturday with his best mate Ryan Lester, who was recalled to the team, and his little boy Louis will run out alongside him.
