Zorko out as Lions’ McCluggage returns to face Saints
Melissa Woods |
The Brisbane Lions have ruled Dayne Zorko out of their AFL clash with St Kilda, taking a cautious approach to the veteran’s return from a calf injury.
The former skipper remains sidelined for a third successive match, although is set to resume training with hopes he will be available for the Lions’ home clash next Thursday against resurgent Richmond.
“We will take the safety pathway with him,” coach Chris Fagan said of the 34-year-old Zorko.
“He’s just had to rest up a little bit … He’s doing lots of alternate types of aerobic work. He’ll train today and over the weekend.
“Zorks is one of those guys that loves playing, so he’s always frustrated when he’s injured. But in the long run it’ll probably be good for him.”
Brisbane vice-captain Hugh McCluggage will return for Friday’s clash at Marvel Stadium after being cleared under concussion protocols, while defender Jack Payne has recovered from an ankle issue.
Big man Darcy Fort makes way for McCluggage, who Fagan was delighted to regain.
“He’s another good cog in the midfield,” he said.
“He’s one of the best ball users inside 50 in the competition, if not the best, so he always adds a lot to our team.”
Snapping a two-game losing streak last round against Sydney, the Lions are one spot ahead of the fifth-placed Saints, who have struggled to string together back-to-back victories.
A win in Melbourne would give Brisbane some breathing space on the chasing pack, with Essendon and the Western Bulldogs also trailing by four points.
Fagan said the St Kilda presented a steely defensive set-up and his side would need to move the ball effectively to get on top.
“They’re always a tough side to play against,” the coach said.
“They don’t concede too many scores. They get a lot of numbers back, so the challenge is to try and move the ball well enough before they get back there.
“We’ve got to take the opportunities when they arrive.
“They’re a really honest team and there’s a fair bit to play for so we expect it to be a tough, hard contest.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon lamented two lapses through last round’s match against Richmond, which helped the Tigers post a 20-point victory.
He said Brisbane had the weaponry to do some major damage if his side’s standards slipped.
“They’ll put you to the sword pretty quickly, they over-index through the midfield – (Josh) Dunkley’s been incredible for them,” Lyon said.
“They’ve got a Brownlow medallist in Lachie Neale, (Will) Ashcroft, McCluggage – we know they’ve got a triple-A midfield.
“It gives them ground position and they go into their talls and they’ve got dangerous smalls.
“That’s their game in a nutshell and off the back of that their defenders defend really well.
“We’ve got to win our fair share around stoppage and we’ve got to challenge them forward as well, not just sit back and defend.”
The Saints are ‘managing’ midfielder Seb Ross, who is listed as an emergency, with Ben Paton recalled.
AAP
