Zorko admits accolades all a bit Rich

Outstanding: Brisbane's Dayne Zorko gets tackled by Chris Yarran in the NAB Cup grand final at Etihad Stadium. Source: Getty Images

Daniel Rich handballs while being tackled by Carlton's Mitch Robinson. Source: Getty Images

DANIEL Rich's emergence as an elite AFL talent is not restricted to his medal-winning ways.

Rich, who on Friday night added the Michael Tuck Medal as best afield in the Brisbane Lions' 40-point NAB Cup grand final win to his 2009 Rising Star award, has played a pivotal role in the development of Dayne Zorko.

Zorko, a revelation in his first 16 games last season as a mature-age recruit, was another key in Brisbane's nine-goal-to-one second-half romp over Carlton, booting two goals among 26 disposals.

The 24-year-old later revealed Rich had helped him on his mental approach to a 2013 campaign bound to attract a lot more opposition attention than his first.

Rich is still only 22, but has worked tirelessly in the past 18 months to work through heavy tags and expectations after a sluggish - by his standards - 2011 season.

"I'm still pinching myself to be here," said Zorko whose work rate was highlighted by having two rebound-50s to go with his game-high nine inside-50s.

"I worked really hard over the pre-season with Vossy (coach Michael Voss) and Daniel Rich - everyone was talking about the second-year syndrome and now I've just got to keep putting my best foot forward each week and having their advice (on how to combat that) has really helped.

"Being older and realising what's out there (outside the AFL) helps me a lot."

There's clearly great camaraderie among the Lions, who have also worked extremely hard on fitness and bulking up over summer.

"We worked really hard in the pre-season, we did a lot of extra sessions, the boys went to Arizona, and some of the younger guys went on camp," Zorko said.

"We've all really gelled together, it's a really good feeling at the moment."

Both Zorko and three-goal hero Josh Green said the Lions had not only learnt Voss' game plan better, but were adamant on rebuilding good habits at the club which remarkably has had just one ``winning'' season since its most recent Grand Final appearance in 2004.

"Some people might look at it differently, but it's vital to us ... we needed to start a successful culture and this is the start of it," Green said.

"Everyone's starting to work out what he (Voss) wants us to do. And we're all starting to get that relationship together which is good.

"It's the partnerships and relationships that are very important.

"Especially with sliding to help a mate at a contest."

Green said quicker ball release from the Lions' dynamic half-backs had a positive effect up the field.

"We try to use that overlap (that creates) and get it going quicker over the spare (player) - that's when I can use my pace to get over the back and run on to it."

Green has the happy knack of needing limited possession to damage opponents - and shone with as many goal assists as majors in his 12 disposals.

"I don't aim for 30 possessions a game. I just do my role for the team which is chase and tackle - the most important stuff for me - and then all the good stuff will come after that - goals and passing.

"I prefer to look at the ones I've given away to my mates. It's good to kick goals, but to know that I've worked hard and set up a goal to help a mate out is a good feeling. I enjoy that."

It helps both he and Zorko that inspirational leader Jonathan Brown appears in great nick early in the season.

"I'd say he's fresher (than recent seasons)," Green said of Brown, who booted five goals and was his usual physical self in setting up several others.

"He's running out games a lot better and he's backing up game to game. That reduced pre-season really helps him.''
 

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