'We're not going for a beer': Star opens up on simmering Zorko feud ahead of enormous finals clash
One of the AFL's most personal individual rivalries will take stage in a final for the first time ever when Brisbane's Dayne Zorko and Gold Coast's Touk Miller clash on Saturday night.
The pair have had there fair share of clashes over the years, particularly given the two teams face off twice a season.
Early in his career, Miller was often given the role of tagging Zorko during Q-Clash games.
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Touk Miller and Dayne Zorko. Nine
In 2018, Zorko refused to shake Miller's hand after a game. Later in the year he would tell Fox Footy that Miller's "breath smells".
Then in 2023, the Suns star was suspended for a game for grabbing at the Lion's groin area during a game.
A furious Zorko complained to the umpire during the game and on radio in the week that followed, leading to Miller being retrospectively suspended.
Things have cooled somewhat since then, but in a do-or-die final, you never know what might just flare up.
"We're not going for a beer after the game," Miller laughed on Nine's Footy Classified.
"The days of us going head to head have probably gone a little bit, but I did enjoy the rivalry that was there.
"We might line-up on each other at some point on the weekend I reckon with him at half back and me up forward, so I'm looking forward to that."
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Zorko and Merrett have had their fair share of moments together. Fox Footy
Essendon champion James Hird praised Miller's honesty in regards to the rivalry.
"Most players would say 'nah there's nothing there', but Touk was honest, which is great," Hird said.
Both remain vital components for their respective sides on Saturday night.
Zorko's creativity and ball use off half back is the driver of so much of Brisbane's attacking game, and was something Geelong successfully quelled in the qualifying final.
Miller meanwhile is a perfect complementary piece in Gold Coast's midfield alongside Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
He is one of the hardest running midfielders in the game and capable of impacting both inside the contest and on the run.
The former Gold Coast captain started his career with various tagging roles and responsibilities, but has become a star in his own right.
