Brisbane head coach Chris Fagan has stated that despite an interrupted summer on the track, club captain Dayne Zorko will be ready to roll once the season proper commences.
After going under the knife mid-way through February to amend an ankle complaint, the 33-year-old has since missed a sizable chunk of the premiership fancy's lead up to Round 1.
With Zorko sitting out each of the Lions' respective practice matches against Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs throughout the past fortnight, the midfielder will enter his 11th season with minimal match fitness under his belt.
Although unable to lace the boots since the River City side's intra-club contest on Thursday, February 14, Fagan held the view that the Queenslander's decade of AFL experience would stand him in "good stead" before Brisbane's opening week date with Port Adelaide.
"He's [Zorko] got 10 years behind him, so he's got a great core of work behind him," Fagan expressed to AFL Media's Michael Whitingย in February.
"I've found the older guys don't need as much prep over the pre-season because they've got a good base and I think that'll hold him in good stead."
Whiting reported on Wednesday morning that while Zorko was initially set to find some late match-simulation form throughout this week, Fagan's decision to rest his roster following the win over the Dogs last Friday put paid to these original plans.
Since debuting for the pride in Round 7 of the 2012 season, Zorko has gone on the rack up a further 207 appearances in a maroon, blue and gold guernsey.
In a testament to both his fitness, form and fire, the Gold Coast native played 16-games in his debut season and has made at least 20 senior appearances across eight of his following nine campaigns.
Zorko has also produced career means of 21.4 disposals, 3.7 clearances and 1.01 goals per game across this stretch.
The Lions will start their 26th season since the merger at home against the Power on Saturday, March 19.
