Brisbane Lions Captain Dayne Beams said Dayne Zorko set the Gabba alight on Saturday evening in the Lions’ 57-point victory over Fremantle.
Zorko finished the match with 30 touches, 10 clearances and two goals in a best-on-ground performance for the back-to-back Merrett-Murray Medallist.
“He’s a natural footballer with flair,” Beams told SEN yesterday.
“He’s always up and about, he’s the one that really gets our group going.
“When he’s up and going, he’s really important for us and against Fremantle he set us alight.”
Former North Ballarat Rebels Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry were drafted together, debuted together and against the Dockers tasted the spoils of victory for the first time together.
Beams said the experience would be invaluable for his emerging group.
“It was good for the young group to taste victory again – round one was the last one so it was good to get back in the winners’ circle,” said Beams.
It was the Lions' first win at the Gabba since round 21 last year.
The home side came out firing, taking on Fremantle through the centre of the ground and playing on at all opportunities in a complete four-quarter performance.
“We go into every game trying to win – we did approach it as a winnable game,” said Beams.
“We were fresh and they were coming off a six day break – Perth to Brisbane is the longest flight in footy.
“There were a few things going our way and we thought we could get on top of them early.
“We started well and they came at us early in the second but we were able to repel that and go on to have a good win.”