When the Lions AFLW side stormed to their first Grand Final in their inaugural season in 2017, Lions Captain Dayne Zorko admitted while thrilled for the team it was also hard to watch their success.
The men’s 2016 season saw them finish second last on the ladder and their senior coach sacked.
Watching the AFLW team sing the song on a regular basis restored pride in the Lions jumper and motivated Zorko.
“I reckon that it really helped drive the boys and set a winning culture for the Club,” he said.
“I certainly feel they played a part in our resurgence in form.”
Their on-field success is not the only aspect in which the women’s team have inspired them.
Their dedication is second-to-none in the off-season and pre-season with players rolling through most days to complete gym sessions.
“It’s impressive to see how much they have a crack and how dedicated they are,” Zorko said.
“We come in during our off season or pre-season and the girls are in here working hard, working together, they’re not just doing it by themselves.”
The team ethic of pushing each other is something Zorko respects and has continued to implement in the men’s side.
“I never see one of the girls come in and do a gym session by themselves,” he said.
“They always bring someone else along.
“You don’t do stuff alone; you challenge yourself by doing it with someone else.”
In many ways Zorko can relate to the challenges the women’s players face each year. While playing the game they love, they all must work another job in order to support themselves throughout the year. Managing the Club’s commitments and their work’s expectations of them can be stressful.
Before Zorko was drafted to the Lions at the age of 22, he worked as a bricklayer on the Gold Coast, while playing for the Broadbeach Cats and doing everything he could to catch the eye of AFL recruiters.
“It’s hard. When I was playing at Broadbeach, I could at least control the hours that I worked as I was working for my old man,” Zorko said.
“Work is the job that’s really paying their bills at the moment, it’s very difficult to schedule their weeks.
“I have a greater appreciation for that.”
Over the four years, Zorko has developed friendships with the Foundation Eight players and described the environment at the Club as that of a family.
In 2020 Zorko has undertaken a new role at Fox Sports as a boundary rider for AFLW games, granting him the best view of the action on field.
“The skill level has improved,” Zorko said.
“The way they crack in, they really throw everything on the line and you really see how much the game means to them.”
“People are always worried they’re not going hard enough but I can guarantee they have no fear for their safety.”
Zorko has high hopes for the Lions AFLW side in 2020 and believes they have what it takes to go all the way.
“I just love the fact they’ve been the underdog again – this will be their fourth year in a row.
“No one ever gives them a chance, but they continue to prove all the critics wrong.”
Important female role models extend further than the AFLW team for Zorko.
“Nicole Duncan is our footy team manager and has been in the role for more than 25 years,” Zorko said.
“She does so much work behind the scenes in keeping us organised and ready to play our best football.
“Amanda Webb is one of our wellbeing managers and Pip Taylor has done a fantastic job as our dietician.
“It’s important to recognise their work on International Women’s Day.”
