Latest news with #Zorko
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
James Brayshaw takes public shot over ‘absolute disgrace'
Former North Melbourne president James Brayshaw has fired a shot at the AFL for wildly inconsistent umpiring which culminated in an 'absolute disgrace' on Friday night. The Channel 7 commentator was calling Brisbane's win over Geelong when Dayne Zorko gave away a 50-metre penalty that started a trend for the night that was an outlier to the rest of the season so far. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dayne Zorko penalised over 'nonsense' infringement. Zorko was penalised for running into the protected area when Geelong's Shannon Neale was going back to have a shot at goal, despite appearing to run through about 10 metres away from the kicker in an action that had no impact on the play. Neale was taken to the goal line where he booted through Geelong's first goal of the game. At the time, Matthew Richardson called the ruling 'nonsense'. 'It wasn't going to affect anything, I really don't like that, it's just a bit of nonsense there, really,' he said on Channel 7. 'Shannon Neale was just going back for a shot at goal, he wasn't affecting anything in-board of the ground there, Zorko.' Speaking on Triple M the next morning, a frustrated Brayshaw said it started a trend for the night which is at odds with how the game has been officiated for the season at large. Dayne Zorko was perplexed at the infringement. Credit: Channel 7 'What I will say to this, and I don't dive into umps too often, but we haven't had a running into the protected zone infringement all season — has not been one for 13 weeks, suddenly they ping four in three quarters,' he said. Bernie Vince added: 'We always say this, whenever they are hot on something, why don't they come out and tell us? Do they tell the teams? Do they tell us? 'Why does it just, all of a sudden, it just starts. 'So, you see that on a Friday night, does that continue across the weekend maybe? I don't know.' Brayshaw was the Kangaroos president between 2008 and 2016, and saw first-hand the frustration that builds at AFL clubs over such blatant inconsistency. 'Having been inside the four walls, nothing drives footy departments madder than that,' he said. 'They're like, 'You have studiously ignored this rule for 13 weeks, and suddenly, on a Friday night, you ping four of them'. 'The one against Dayne Zorko was an absolute disgrace, and it marched the bloke to the line.' The protected area infringements have been a contentious rule since their inception, particularly during periods where umpires seemed to be following a directive to be trigger-happy with them. Zorko appeared to be 10 metres away but was still penalised. Credit: Channel 7 But Vince praised the AFL for how they had softened this season, paying less of them where play was not affected. That's why it made Friday night's sudden escalation more peculiar. 'And that's what happens, quite often it's the 50-metre that puts you to the goal line, it's a certain goal,' he said. 'I actually haven't minded the way they haven't paid free kicks for it (this year). I think it hurts you too much, so I actually don't mind the way they've been doing it. 'Why they changed it last night — I didn't see any Thursday night either, so I don't know why Friday night they ping them all. 'I don't know, I can't talk for them.' Brayshaw also added: 'And then we get a dissent (free kick) — we haven't had one of them for two months either. 'So therefore, what you said was ruder than what everyone else's said for 10 weeks? I don't get it, that's the stuff I don't get.'
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
James Brayshaw takes public shot at AFL over 50-metre penalty ‘disgrace'
Former North Melbourne president James Brayshaw has fired a shot at the AFL for wildly inconsistent umpiring which culminated in an 'absolute disgrace' on Friday night. The Channel 7 commentator was calling Brisbane's win over Geelong when Dayne Zorko gave away a 50-metre penalty that started a trend for the night that was an outlier to the rest of the season so far. Zorko was penalised for running into the protected area when Geelong's Shannon Neale was going back to have a shot at goal, despite appearing to run through about 10 metres away from the kicker in an action that had no impact on the play. Neale was taken to the goal line where he booted through Geelong's first goal of the game. At the time, Matthew Richardson called the ruling 'nonsense'. 'It wasn't going to affect anything, I really don't like that, it's just a bit of nonsense there, really,' he said on Channel 7. 'Shannon Neale was just going back for a shot at goal, he wasn't affecting anything in-board of the ground there, Zorko.' Speaking on Triple M the next morning, a frustrated Brayshaw said it started a trend for the night which is at odds with how the game has been officiated for the season at large. 'What I will say to this, and I don't dive into umps too often, but we haven't had a running into the protected zone infringement all season — has not been one for 13 weeks, suddenly they ping four in three quarters,' he said. Bernie Vince added: 'We always say this, whenever they are hot on something, why don't they come out and tell us? Do they tell the teams? Do they tell us? 'Why does it just, all of a sudden, it just starts. 'So, you see that on a Friday night, does that continue across the weekend maybe? I don't know.' Brayshaw was the Kangaroos president between 2008 and 2016, and saw first-hand the frustration that builds at AFL clubs over such blatant inconsistency. 'Having been inside the four walls, nothing drives footy departments madder than that,' he said. 'They're like, 'You have studiously ignored this rule for 13 weeks, and suddenly, on a Friday night, you ping four of them'. 'The one against Dayne Zorko was an absolute disgrace, and it marched the bloke to the line.' The protected area infringements have been a contentious rule since their inception, particularly during periods where umpires seemed to be following a directive to be trigger-happy with them. But Vince praised the AFL for how they had softened this season, paying less of them where play was not affected. That's why it made Friday night's sudden escalation more peculiar. 'And that's what happens, quite often it's the 50-metre that puts you to the goal line, it's a certain goal,' he said. 'I actually haven't minded the way they haven't paid free kicks for it (this year). I think it hurts you too much, so I actually don't mind the way they've been doing it. 'Why they changed it last night — I didn't see any Thursday night either, so I don't know why Friday night they ping them all. 'I don't know, I can't talk for them.' Brayshaw also added: 'And then we get a dissent (free kick) — we haven't had one of them for two months either. 'So therefore, what you said was ruder than what everyone else's said for 10 weeks? I don't get it, that's the stuff I don't get.'
The Advertiser
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'It'll all pan out': Kiddy's return gives Fagan options
Chris Fagan isn't sure how he'll distribute his embarrassment of halfback riches but is confident Keidean Coleman's return won't stifle Dayne Zorko. Coleman will play against Melbourne on Sunday at the Gabba, 14 months after suffering a knee injury in last year's season opener. His last complete AFL game was the 2023 grand final in which he dominated the first half with incisive, aggressive kicking and finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting. Coleman's injury allowed the versatile Zorko to shift back into defence, where the veteran flourished and earned All-Australian honours in their premiership season. Emerging pair Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot have shown dare, poise and accuracy transitioning into attack, trademarks that have become non-negotiable for good teams in modern football. "It's not just Kiddy (Coleman) ... Zorko is probably the best in the competition at it, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot too," Fagan said on Saturday. "It's great to have those sorts of players in the modern game ... to change angles and break through team defences and Kiddy adds another layer." They can't all fit at once though, Coleman's return at the expense of the concussed Jarrod Berry likely to push Wilmot, Fletcher and Zorko to the wings or further forward in a new-look rotation. Fagan is confident Zorko and Coleman can combine as halfback weapons but, with midfielder or wing Berry only a short-term out, won't predict how things will look later this season. "They can both play there but Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa and Darcy," he said. "It'll all pan out. I'm not 100 per cent certain what it'll look like down the track. "Sometimes injuries unfortunately have a say, so we'll wait and see." Brisbane have spluttered at times in their premiership defence but still sit on top of the ladder at 7-1-1 following a draw with lowly North Melbourne last Sunday. Fagan acknowledged they were lucky to escape with a draw in Hobart but remains unruffled with a longer-term view. "It's just a point in time. I'd rather be there than not there, but a lot of challenges still to come," he said. Darcy Fort has been omitted from the side, Eric Hipwood tasked with deputising for Oscar McInerney in the ruck and Conor McKenna also back in the fray. The Demons (3-6) are 15th but won three straight before losing to Hawthorn last week. Coach Simon Goodwin has recalled first-year forward Aidan Johnson for his third AFL outing, while Jake Melksham and Harrison Petty are also back in a big boost. Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson were all dropped. Chris Fagan isn't sure how he'll distribute his embarrassment of halfback riches but is confident Keidean Coleman's return won't stifle Dayne Zorko. Coleman will play against Melbourne on Sunday at the Gabba, 14 months after suffering a knee injury in last year's season opener. His last complete AFL game was the 2023 grand final in which he dominated the first half with incisive, aggressive kicking and finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting. Coleman's injury allowed the versatile Zorko to shift back into defence, where the veteran flourished and earned All-Australian honours in their premiership season. Emerging pair Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot have shown dare, poise and accuracy transitioning into attack, trademarks that have become non-negotiable for good teams in modern football. "It's not just Kiddy (Coleman) ... Zorko is probably the best in the competition at it, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot too," Fagan said on Saturday. "It's great to have those sorts of players in the modern game ... to change angles and break through team defences and Kiddy adds another layer." They can't all fit at once though, Coleman's return at the expense of the concussed Jarrod Berry likely to push Wilmot, Fletcher and Zorko to the wings or further forward in a new-look rotation. Fagan is confident Zorko and Coleman can combine as halfback weapons but, with midfielder or wing Berry only a short-term out, won't predict how things will look later this season. "They can both play there but Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa and Darcy," he said. "It'll all pan out. I'm not 100 per cent certain what it'll look like down the track. "Sometimes injuries unfortunately have a say, so we'll wait and see." Brisbane have spluttered at times in their premiership defence but still sit on top of the ladder at 7-1-1 following a draw with lowly North Melbourne last Sunday. Fagan acknowledged they were lucky to escape with a draw in Hobart but remains unruffled with a longer-term view. "It's just a point in time. I'd rather be there than not there, but a lot of challenges still to come," he said. Darcy Fort has been omitted from the side, Eric Hipwood tasked with deputising for Oscar McInerney in the ruck and Conor McKenna also back in the fray. The Demons (3-6) are 15th but won three straight before losing to Hawthorn last week. Coach Simon Goodwin has recalled first-year forward Aidan Johnson for his third AFL outing, while Jake Melksham and Harrison Petty are also back in a big boost. Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson were all dropped. Chris Fagan isn't sure how he'll distribute his embarrassment of halfback riches but is confident Keidean Coleman's return won't stifle Dayne Zorko. Coleman will play against Melbourne on Sunday at the Gabba, 14 months after suffering a knee injury in last year's season opener. His last complete AFL game was the 2023 grand final in which he dominated the first half with incisive, aggressive kicking and finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting. Coleman's injury allowed the versatile Zorko to shift back into defence, where the veteran flourished and earned All-Australian honours in their premiership season. Emerging pair Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot have shown dare, poise and accuracy transitioning into attack, trademarks that have become non-negotiable for good teams in modern football. "It's not just Kiddy (Coleman) ... Zorko is probably the best in the competition at it, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot too," Fagan said on Saturday. "It's great to have those sorts of players in the modern game ... to change angles and break through team defences and Kiddy adds another layer." They can't all fit at once though, Coleman's return at the expense of the concussed Jarrod Berry likely to push Wilmot, Fletcher and Zorko to the wings or further forward in a new-look rotation. Fagan is confident Zorko and Coleman can combine as halfback weapons but, with midfielder or wing Berry only a short-term out, won't predict how things will look later this season. "They can both play there but Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa and Darcy," he said. "It'll all pan out. I'm not 100 per cent certain what it'll look like down the track. "Sometimes injuries unfortunately have a say, so we'll wait and see." Brisbane have spluttered at times in their premiership defence but still sit on top of the ladder at 7-1-1 following a draw with lowly North Melbourne last Sunday. Fagan acknowledged they were lucky to escape with a draw in Hobart but remains unruffled with a longer-term view. "It's just a point in time. I'd rather be there than not there, but a lot of challenges still to come," he said. Darcy Fort has been omitted from the side, Eric Hipwood tasked with deputising for Oscar McInerney in the ruck and Conor McKenna also back in the fray. The Demons (3-6) are 15th but won three straight before losing to Hawthorn last week. Coach Simon Goodwin has recalled first-year forward Aidan Johnson for his third AFL outing, while Jake Melksham and Harrison Petty are also back in a big boost. Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson were all dropped.
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'It'll all pan out': Kiddy's return gives Fagan options
Chris Fagan isn't sure how he'll distribute his embarrassment of halfback riches but is confident Keidean Coleman's return won't stifle Dayne Zorko. Coleman will play against Melbourne on Sunday at the Gabba, 14 months after suffering a knee injury in last year's season opener. His last complete AFL game was the 2023 grand final in which he dominated the first half with incisive, aggressive kicking and finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting. Coleman's injury allowed the versatile Zorko to shift back into defence, where the veteran flourished and earned All-Australian honours in their premiership season. Emerging pair Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot have shown dare, poise and accuracy transitioning into attack, trademarks that have become non-negotiable for good teams in modern football. "It's not just Kiddy (Coleman) ... Zorko is probably the best in the competition at it, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot too," Fagan said on Saturday. "It's great to have those sorts of players in the modern game ... to change angles and break through team defences and Kiddy adds another layer." They can't all fit at once though, Coleman's return at the expense of the concussed Jarrod Berry likely to push Wilmot, Fletcher and Zorko to the wings or further forward in a new-look rotation. Fagan is confident Zorko and Coleman can combine as halfback weapons but, with midfielder or wing Berry only a short-term out, won't predict how things will look later this season. "They can both play there but Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa and Darcy," he said. "It'll all pan out. I'm not 100 per cent certain what it'll look like down the track. "Sometimes injuries unfortunately have a say, so we'll wait and see." Brisbane have spluttered at times in their premiership defence but still sit on top of the ladder at 7-1-1 following a draw with lowly North Melbourne last Sunday. Fagan acknowledged they were lucky to escape with a draw in Hobart but remains unruffled with a longer-term view. "It's just a point in time. I'd rather be there than not there, but a lot of challenges still to come," he said. Darcy Fort has been omitted from the side, Eric Hipwood tasked with deputising for Oscar McInerney in the ruck and Conor McKenna also back in the fray. The Demons (3-6) are 15th but won three straight before losing to Hawthorn last week. Coach Simon Goodwin has recalled first-year forward Aidan Johnson for his third AFL outing, while Jake Melksham and Harrison Petty are also back in a big boost. Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson were all dropped.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The evolution of sport science, and how it's extending our athletes' prime
Dayne Zorko spent two years stifling a laugh each time he fronted the media and cameras as questions about retirement kept coming to the Brisbane Lions star. Yet here he stands: defying Father Time as a premiership champion, and showing no signs of suffering a dramatic fade any time soon. Zorko does not believe his heroics are a flash in the pan: he is adamant the evolution of sport science will make such exploits the norm. The 36-year-old became the oldest player to claim an All Australian blazer last year, doing so in his new position of halfback as he sought comprehensive medical support within and outside the club. In 2025, the performance that helped end Brisbane's 21-year title drought has continued. His 34 disposals, seven rebound 50s, three inside 50s, and three clearances in the Lions' most recent triumph of St Kilda showcased just how much he still has to offer as he heads into Sunday's QClash against the Suns. But when asked if 40 might become the new 30, with older players inking longer-term deals, Zorko suppressed a giggle. 'As you get older, you probably want to spend less time on the track and just want to play, but I've prided my whole career on training as much as I can. That's how you get better, that's how you stay in touch,' said Zorko, who comes off contract this year. 'I think going forward, we're going to see a lot more players play up until they're 35, 36, 37, maybe even into their 40s. 'You can't replace experience. One thing all the guys still playing well into their 30s in the competition have got is really good experience in big games, finals, and they know what it takes to be a professional athlete. 'I don't know about multi-year deals, but if the player wants to play on, I can't see why they wouldn't.' But the evolution of sport science and player welfare, and the way it is extending careers, is not limited to the AFL. In rugby union, Wallabies prop James Slipper has become the nation's most capped player, with former teammate Scott Higginbotham praising him as one of the game's most 'durable' athletes. 'That's the perfect word: durable,' Higginbotham says. 'He's achieved a lot over his whole career, it's been achievement after achievement. It's amazing that he's still playing.' In the NRL, Brisbane Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds is plotting to play on in 2026, having produced one of the finest games of his career against the Bulldogs. Gold Coast Titans veteran Kieran Foran has also refused to rule out playing beyond 2025, despite turning 35 in June. Now in his 17th preseason, the stalwart of 303 NRL and 31 Test appearances revealed he had undergone 17 operations for various leg and shoulder injuries – even getting 'a new ankle' late last year. It came after a 2024 season in which he made more tackles (433) and kick metres (6235) than at any stage in his career, while only twice previously bettering his 15 try assists. Before suffering a biceps injury in the Titans' final preseason trial against the Dolphins, which he is expected to return from in May, Foran declared he still had 'plenty left in the tank'. 'The high-performance side of things is forever evolving, but ... it comes back to putting in the hard work and making sure you're doing everything you can to keep up with this current crop of players,' he said. 'I'm still loving it as much now as I was 16 years ago, so it's great to still be pushing myself and being involved in this game.' According to sports science expert Dr Jonathon Weakley, the ability to prolong careers goes back to the strides taken in strength and conditioning practices during an athlete's formative years. Loading Weakley, who alongside other professionals at Leeds Beckett University were instrumental in transforming the England Rugby Union's athlete pathways, told this masthead the growth of sports science could be best illustrate by the change of props in the 15-man code. Where players in those positions two decades ago would weigh about '111 to 114 kilograms', they now push 130 kilograms, enhancing their capacity to withstand contact and handle injuries. 'They're the same stature, but they've essentially put on 15 kilograms, and that's because they've had more time to accumulate that mass and accumulate strength,' Weakley said. 'Not many would have been able to squat 200 kilograms at the turn of the century. Now we've got players like Fletcher Newell – who's in the squad of the All Blacks – and they're squatting close to 300 kilograms in their teenage years. 'After a while, it's not freakish, it just becomes the norm. Strength fundamentally mitigates injury, it enhances recovery, and it improves performance on the field – they are undeniable facts. 'If we implement good, proper strength and conditioning from a young age, we have a greater opportunity to enhance things like strength and power.' While the Australian Catholic University associate professor believes the extension of careers will be in small increments, the lengthening of a player's peak period will grow as a result of their improved conditioning. Loading 'What we have seen is players being able to play for longer because they had a greater training base, we're more aware of injuries and how to treat them, the nutritional considerations around recovery, and things like sleep,' Weakley said. 'It might be one to three years, but that lengthening of that window of peak performance might be why we're feeling like players' careers are lengthening.
