DAYNE Zorko doesn’t do stats — so he says.

The Brisbane gun is renowned for keeping statisticians busy during the footy season. But numbers never drive him on the footy field — so he says (because we all know how difficult this is to avoid in the fantasy sports era).

“Sometimes stats can lie. It doesn’t necessarily determine how well you’re going for the team,” Zorko told foxsports.com.au.

“They might look nice, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of the game. There’s a lot of other things you do that contribute to you playing well and helping the team out.”

The problem for the modest Zorko, however, is his numbers are too good to ignore. In fact, they are among the best in the competition for his player-type.

Since arriving at the Lions as a mature-age recruit, Zorko has turned into an AFL star in just four seasons.

Such has been his dramatic individual rise over the past two years that the 26-year-old is rated an “elite” forward-midfielder according to Champion Data. Officially, he’s the third-best player of that category in the competition, ahead of the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Steve Motlop.

When it came to specific rankings for forward-midfielders in 2015, Zorko was rated “elite” for SuperCoach points (101), disposals (23), contested possessions (9.4), metres gained (363) and pressure points (48.5). He was also “above average” for uncontested possessions (1.8) and clearances (3.2).

However in a Queensland-based team that has finished 12th or lower in the past six consecutive seasons, he probably hasn’t received the recognition he has deserved.

Zorko admitted he wasn’t aware of his achievements when informed of his “elite” mantle, stressing his individual KPIs have never been numbers-based.

“I have little mental triggers that if I do them throughout the game, I’m more than likely going to be involved in the game.

Then that’s when your natural ability comes in and you can play your natural game,” Zorko said.

“Training’s probably the biggest factor, just putting a lot of time and effort into your craft and developing yourself, not just as a player but a person as well. An AFL career is pretty short and you want to get the most out of it.”

Zorko’s numbers took a big, yet almost accidental, boost in 2015, due to the array of injuries key Lions players suffered.

Blows throughout the season to Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Dayne Beams and Jack Redden forced Zorko to spend more time in the midfield and on a wing than he had anticipated.

While he enjoyed the more demanding role and spending more time near the footy, it took him away from the forward 50m arc — his first love.

Setting goals up for teammates, rather than kicking them himself, was a “rewarding” experience for Zorko. But he admits there’s few who enjoy a goal as much as he does.

“I love trying to hit the scoreboard. It’s always great kicking a few goals and celebrating them while enjoying each other’s company out on the field. It also sets up an environment that fans can really feel a bit of energy off,” he said.

The Lions have some promising, emerging key forwards in Jono Freeman and Michael Close, while the additions of Josh Walker, Eric Hipwood and Josh Schache will hopefully help the club fill its most gaping chasm.

But Zorko — and no doubt coach Justin Leppitsch — realise the goal love needs to be shared at the Lions, who were ranked second-last in the league for points scored last year.

The 174cm pocket rocket says he won’t be the only midfielder at the Lions trying to boost his goal tally in 2016.

“With the limited rotations coming in, it’ll also force midfielders to rest forward as well. There’ll be a big onus on them to kick goals, not only when they’re in the midfield, but also when they potentially go forward,” Zorko said.

“It’s not a pact, but it’s a team goal that we want to kick more goals as a midfield group. I think it’s important to take that heat off our small forwards and our talls that they don’t have to kick the score every single week.”

Not only has Zorko been doing a lot of kicking and handballing in recent years, he’s also been doing a lot of sharing.

He was part of the Lions’ four-way best and fairest tie last year, claiming the Merrett-Murray medal alongside Beams, Stefan Martin and Mitch Robinson.

It doesn’t stop there, as Zorko has to share vice-captaincy duties with four other teammates in 2016, with Beams and Daniel Merrett recently joining Zorko, Daniel Rich and Pearce Hanley, as well as captain Rockliff, in the Lions’ leadership group.

“It doesn’t really bother me too much. It’s a team game,” he laughed. “Individual awards are nothing without the team.”

“They’ve strengthened up that leadership group and offer a lot of experience, especially Daniel who has over a decade of experience and Dayne’s played in a premiership. They’re pretty handy bonuses for our little team.”

Zorko describes himself as the “Energizer bunny” of the club’s leadership group.

“Every bloke leads in a different way. You’ve got guys who go out there and talk a lot, you’ve got other guys who lead purely by actions and I’m the guy who tends to be the motivator,” he said.

“I’m always chirping and getting excited around the boys and making them feel at home.”
Zorko never played a final with Broadbeach in the QAFL and hasn’t featured in September at AFL level since joining Brisbane ahead of the 2012 season.

He knows he’ll have to be patient, as the Lions’ young, budding list isn’t likely to finish in the top eight in the coming years.

But that won’t stop him from dreaming.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I played in a final. It’d be at least 10 or 12 years ago,” Zorko said.

“It’s definitely something I’d like to see, whether it’s this year or not.”