Monday, June 15, 2015

Zorko "sacrificed" for team in Brisbane's tough new approach

Brisbane will adopt an over-the-top aggressive approach to its clash with the Western Bulldogs, with coach Justin Leppitsch earmarking hard-nosed midfielder Dayne Zorko as the controversial plan's main enforcer.

A soft start to the season has prompted Leppitsch to instruct his players to rough up the Bulldogs throughout Saturday night's match, while Zorko is expected to knock out as many players as possible.

"Look, we've got to try something pretty extreme to turn this thing around so I've told Zorko to elbow, eye gouge, king hit - whatever it takes to sideline a few of their boys,'' Leppitsch said.

"Sure, he's going to give away a bunch of free kicks in the process - I mean, I certainly wouldn't want him in my fantasy side this week - but it should be worth it when they've only got three or four fit blokes left on the field.''

Leppitsch added that both Pearce Hanley and Stefan Martin were in the frame to be selected as the ''sacrificial lamb" but were unavailable after both died at today's training session.

AFL fantasy experts The Traders tipped the physical approach would have a devastating effect on Zorko's scoring potential.

"He's not even going to be trying to win the ball,'' Warnie said.''He could be looking at -30 by quarter-time. That's MINUS 30. Plus he'll probably earn a life-time ban from footy too.''

In other news around the league, North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey will miss the rest of the season after he was jailed for murdering teammate Jack Ziebell, West Coast pair Luke Shuey and Jamie Cripps have become embroiled in a party drugs scandal, Sydney leader Kieren Jack has departed the Swans for NRL club Wests Tigers to follow in his dad's footsteps and Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert's head finally exploded.