Elite status to be next Zorko act

DAYNE Zorko says he is starting to feel like he belongs in the AFL’s elite bracket after another extraordinary game in a losing Brisbane side.

The Gold Coast junior collected 36 disposals, kicked four goals, won 10 clearances and laid 12 tackles as the Lions were smashed by 85 points by Geelong on Saturday night at the Gabba.

It was the fifth-best individual performance recorded by the AFL’s player ratings system and the second-best in a beaten team since 2010.

And it continues a breakthrough season for the 28year-old, who has won Brisbane’s past two club bestand-fairest awards but has taken his game to a stunning new level this year.

Asked if he felt like he was in the same echelon as AFL superstars like Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, Beams said: “A little bit.”

“I had an interview with a guy at the midway point of the year and he said, ‘how do you think you’re travelling?’ “I said I probably wasn’t in that elite (bracket) but I was definitely aspiring to be up there.

“To slowly chip away at it, I think that’s great. I’ve still got plenty of growth - my game’s not perfect by any means.”

The Lions face Richmond on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.