Why Brisbane is 'desperate' to redeem premiership dream for 35-year-old veteran Dayne Zorko
Updated . First published at
A smiley Chris Fagan has opened up on how "desperate" his Brisbane Lions are to redeem themselves after last year's heartbreaking grand final loss to Collingwood.
The Lions came from 44 points down during Saturday night's semi-final to overcome GWS by just five points, locking in their preliminary final date with Geelong at the MCG.
But there's "still a long way to go" before they can ever dream of premiership glory once more.
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"I know they're desperate to get back there and have another crack," Fagan said in his post-match press conference.
"There's still a long way to before we can do that. We play Geelong next week. They're a pretty damn good football club and side and gave us a lesson in the preliminary final a couple of years ago (2022)."
Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale. AFL Photos via Getty Images
And while they say you simply should not dwell in the past, especially when it comes to football, Fagan could not help but admit that last year's grand final heartache is a big motivator to succeed in 2024.
"I've got no doubt that (2023 grand final loss) drives them," he said.
But it's his veterans who prove they are hungrier than ever, knowing that Father Time is catching up.
"I look at Dayne Zorko and it drives him. He's 35, he doesn't know how many years he's got left to play the game. He desperately wants to win one," Fagan said.
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"Joey Dainher (30) is the same.
"The guys in our team that are a little older, they lifted in that last quarter. I've got no doubt about that."
And while the ticking time bomb on his experienced players careers continue to count down, Fagan admits he will enjoy this semi-final win for a little bit longer than usual.
Lions coach Chris Fagan walks off at three-quarter time of their semi-final against GWS. via Getty Images
"You don't very often have days like that in footy. That will be one I'll never forget," he said.
"The character of our team was on display."
The Lions head down to the MCG next Saturday afternoon, to face off against Geelong for a spot in the grand final.
