Lions no one-man AFL band: Zorko

Melbourne’s handling of Lachie Neale on Friday might impact the Brisbane star’s pursuit of a second Brownlow Medal.

The Lions’ goal is to ensure it doesn’t impact their effectiveness in a final-round battle for a spot in the AFL’s top four.

Midfielder Neale is the bookie’s favourite to repeat his 2020 best and fairest feat, despite being held to a season-low 16 disposals by St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager last week.

Brisbane won that game though – Cam Rayner’s four second-half goals a welcome sign as the top four regulars first look to make a statement in the final round and then improve a 1-5 finals record.

Neale was kept to 22 touches against the Demons when tagged earlier this season, after mounting a record 46 disposals in last year’s qualifying final.

Brisbane were well beaten in both games though, Zorko admitting on Tuesday more efforts like Rayner’s will be key to their fortunes over the next month.

“Lach didn’t get the numbers on the weekend, but he still contributed in a number of different ways (with six tackles and eight clearances),” Zorko told reporters.

“If he does that again, the guys around him have to step up, myself included, and that’s what we’ll do.

“We’ve seen glimpses and on the weekend his (Rayner’s) moment was there, he grabbed it.

“Guys like Zac Bailey, Jaxon Prior will get confidence in seeing he can do it and it adds a lot of great belief that Cam’s starting to get back to his absolute best.”

Brisbane have copped flak for their fluctuating form but boast victories from four of their last five games ahead of their top-four shootout.

“(Our belief) is still really high and it should be; we’ve been in the top half of the ladder for the last four years in a row, which only Geelong has managed to do,” Zorko said.

“We understand we need to get it done in big games.

“But we’re building towards that, putting mechanisms in place to overcome adversity and whatever strikes us.

“Everything seems to be coming together and the boys are hitting form at the right time of the season.”

Marcus Adams and Callum Ah Chee (concussion) remain doubtful for the clash, Adams not at training on Tuesday and Ah Chee restricted to light duties.