Realistically, Dayne Zorko shouldn’t be leading Brisbane into their first AFL finals campaign since 2009.

Born and raised on the Gold Coast, the midfielder was consistently overlooked by AFL recruiters as he claimed three best-and-fairest awards at Broadbeach between 2008 and 2010.

Expansion club Gold Coast eventually chose the best young talent in the state as a Queensland zone selection in 2011 but the Suns then on-traded Zorko to the Lions.

It’s a decision that looks worse for the Suns each year.

Finally given his AFL chance, Zorko has gone from cult figure at the Lions to a four-time Merrett-Murray Medallist as Brisbane’s club champion.

With 166 games under his belt, Zorko is now the leader of a Lions team heading into September footy for the first time in his career.

“Little bit different to probably what we’ve experienced over the past few years but it’s a great situation to be in,” the 30-year-old said about being a part of finals rather than nursing a Mad Monday hangover.

“We certainly don’t feel as though our season’s anywhere near finished yet. It’s a good feeling.”

After waiting so long for a taste of finals, Zorko admits Saturday’s AFL qualifying final at the Gabba against Richmond is exciting for all at the club.

But he’s insisting if the Lions are to end a 13-game losing run to the Tigers they need to approach the game with the same routines which lifted them to a 16-6 record in 2019.

“The boys have treated it just like business as usual,” Zorko said.

“”There’s been no extra hype, extra talk, nothing like that. That shows a lot how far the club has come in maturity levels, not only the players but I think the coaching staff as well.

“Yep, it’s a finals series but it’s really important we know what we have to do, execute it to the best of our abilities and that’s pretty much all we’ve been focused on to be honest.”