Born two years after the Brisbane Football Club, then known as the Bears, and growing up not far from the ground’s then headquarters at Carrara, Dayne Zorko yearning to be like the players he watched every week. A local who just wanted a chance.

For a long time it didn’t happen. Even after he had captained the Queensland Under 18 side in 2007 and was crowned the State’s best young player.

For four years from 2007-10 he watched 631 players from across the country welcomed into the AFL via the draft system. A frustration of extreme proportions which drove an inner-strength and private resolution to defy the collective football view that he was too small and not committed enough.

Fast forward 11 years to last Saturday night. The now 32-year-old enjoyed another moment of vindication when he joined the Brisbane Lions 4000 Club, which comprises 10 of the club’s all-time playing list of 333 who have topped 4000 career possessions.

He reached this milestone with a season-high 26 possessions against Essendon at the Gabba.

It’s been the ultimate retort from a player who has unquestionably been the best value for money pick-up in club history.

Zorko has joined a group of the elite ball-winners in club history which comprises three Queensland zone players, three first-round draft picks, two third-draft picks, one pre-season draft pick and Zorko.

The 4000 Club welcomed its’ first member in 1999, 12 years after the club was formed. It was Marcus Ashcroft, a local pick-up from Southport. Second in 2002 was Michael Voss from Morningside, followed closely by the likes of Nigel Lappin, Shaun Hart, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black.

Zorko’s growth and journey through the AFL has been nothing short of miraculous following his torturous exclusion through the National Draft, Pre-Season Draft and Rookie Draft from 2007-10.

Even the Gold Coast Suns, based within walking distance of his junior club at Surfers Paradise and his then senior club at Broadbeach, overlooked him when finalising their inaugural playing list in November/December 2010.

It was 16 October 2011 before Zorko’s entry to the AFL was locked in and announced in a Lions media release confirming a trade with the Suns for the rights to Zorko, who was still zoned to the Gold Coast.

They got Zorko and a third-round pick (#47 overall) in the 2011 National Draft in exchange for their own second-round pick (#34) and a third-round selection (#52).

Lions National Talent Manager Rob Kerr at the time, said the Lions were “thrilled” to secure the exciting home-grown prospect to the Club via the trade period, rather than try their luck at the National Draft.

In recruiting speak that was code for “I’m not sure how everyone missed him” and Kerr followed up by saying he believed Zorko was ready to play senior footy in his first season.

Indeed he was, albeit after an early injury setback which delayed his debut until Round 7.

He’s played 190 games since his belated debut and although he was the oldest 4000 Club inductee at 32 years 77 days, he was the fourth-quickest to this mark. And that despite 17 games last year of reduced game time.

The top 10 possession winners in Brisbane history are:-

From the AFL Class of 2011 of which Zorko was finally a member he has played more games than every player chosen except Brandon Ellis, originally drafted to Richmond and now at the Suns, who has played 197 games.

He ranks sixth on a possession count for 2011 draftees headed by Adam Treloar, an original signing to the GWS Giants and now at the Western Bulldogs after time at Collingwood. He has 4975 career possessions.

Also ahead of Zorko is Brisbane teammate and original Fremantle draftee Lachie Neale (4914), Ellis (4256), Essendon’s ex-GWS draftee Dylan Shiel (4246) and Adelaide’s Rory Laird (4208).

With 192 career goals, Zorko is ranked fourth on a 2011 draftees goal list headed by inaugural GWS full forward Jeremy Cameron, now at Geelong. He has 427.