Zorko to step back in time

GREG DAVIS DAYNE Zorko was once the master of all he surveyed at Kombumerri Oval, Broadbeach, as part of his unique football journey.

Four consecutive best-andfairest gongs at the Cats convinced some AFL scouts to finally take a punt on Zorko, who was overlooked in a number of drafts because he was considered too small and too slow.

He returns to the all-toofamiliar surrounds for tomorrow’s JLT Community Series pre-season clash with the Gold Coast and things have certainly changed for him since the last time he kicked a ball in anger at Broady.

He has won the past two club champion gongs at the Lions and established himself in the competition’s upper echelon in 101 senior games since making his top-level debut in 2012.

“To be playing a game at Broadbeach again is pretty special, not just for me but for the whole club and the whole community,’’ Zorko said. “I was fortunate enough to play some good footy there.

“The facilities have all been upgraded and it looks fantastic. A lot of good footballers have gone through Broadbeach and to have two AFL teams do battle there is a special achievement for everyone associated with the Cats.’’

His football life started well before his heroics with Broadbeach. Zorko, 28, first set foot inside the Surfers Paradise football club when he was just four years old.

His brother Beau was playing in the under-7s at the Demons and he insisted on tagging along.

“I basically cracked it because I wanted to go along with Beau and Dad so they told me to jump in the car,’’ Zorko said. “I had to be the mascot for a couple of years because I couldn’t play until I was six.

“I’d go to training and train with the boys but I sat on the sidelines during games. I didn’t do a hell of a lot.

“In the end, I played about 250-odd games at Surfers Paradise before I went over to Broadbeach.’’

Zorko is both an Auskick and multicultural ambassador for the AFL.

Given that he did not crack the AFL until he was 23, he is a fine example of persistence and passion reaping rewards.

“I didn’t get into the AFL the traditional way. I had to do it the hard way and I think people can connect with that because nothing was really handed to me … I had to earn it,’’ he said.

“I get a real kick out of going to the Auskick sessions.

“It’s a great program. The kids feel so special.

“The multicultural program is really important to me as well. The game is growing so fast and there’s people from so many different backgrounds coming into the game. It’s vital we welcome everyone to our great game so it can continue to flourish.’’

Zorko is the proud father of eight-month-old son Louis. He would be more than happy for him to get involved in Auskick when the time is right.