Regulations state that only players aged under 21 years (as at 1 January 2012) with 10 or less senior games of AFL experience are eligible to win this year’s award.
Nonetheless, mature recruit Zorko - who turned 23 back in February - has proven to be one of the most outstanding first-year players in the competition.
The zippy Queenslander made his first senior appearance in Round 7 against Collingwood at the Gabba where he played a brief cameo role after coming on as the substitute in the third quarter.
Zorko has since played seven ‘full’ matches over which time he’s averaged 21.3 disposals, 6.6 marks and seven tackles per game. He has also kicked a total of seven goals at an average of almost one per match.
Even though he only stands at 175cm, he was one of the Lions players who stood tallest last Saturday night during the team’s loss against ladder-leaders Sydney at the SCG.
He collected a career-high 31 disposals and laid a team-high eight tackles to prove that he can influence a contest even when the pressure is most intense.
Even though Zorko won’t be among the Rising Star candidates in 2012, the Lions are already well represented by Claye Beams and Mitch Golby who earned nominations earlier this season.
And with eight matches still remaining, there’s still hope for the likes of Ryan Lester, Jared Polec, Josh Green and co to join the growing list of nominees vying for the title of ‘Rising Star’.
Please find below a complete list of eligible Rising Star candidates at the Lions, as well as a list of those who are ineligible for either having played too many games or being too old.
ELIGIBLE RISING STARS
Callum Bartlett
Claye Beams (Nominated)
Justin Clarke*
Jack Crisp*
Sam Docherty
Josh Dyson*
Mitch Golby (Nominated)
Josh Green
Brad Harvey*
Ryan Lester
Billy Longer
Sam Michael*
Richard Newell*
Jared Polec
Bryce Retzlaff
Patrick Wearden
Elliot Yeo
INELIGIBLE RISING STARS
Ryan Harwood (played 13 games prior to 2012)
Patrick Karnezis (played 11 games prior to 2012)
Jordan Lisle (turns 22 years old in 2012)
Niall McKeever (already 23 years old)*
Jesse O’Brien (played 13 games prior to 2012)
Stephen Wrigley (already 25 years old)*
Dayne Zorko (already 23 years old)
*Denotes Rookie
