On a more serious note (just a little bit
I found a site that has match report from the league that Dayne plays in... happy reading
http://labradortigers.com/blog/?p=82
(Gold Coast News - May 10, 2008) Cats maul Tigers
TEENAGE Broadbeach dynamo Dayne Zorko was overlooked by AFL clubs at last years national draft, supposedly because he is too small to cope at the elite level.
But the midfielder-forward is big on performance, as he showed on Saturday when Broadbeach smashed AFLQ Division 1 rivals Labrador 16-8 (104) to 8-11 (59) in the derby at Merrimac Oval.
Zorko had 31 possessions, kicked four goals and did things that would not be out of place on an AFL arena.
The Surfers Paradise junior product may not be tall, but he is solidly built, robust and knows how to get the football.
He looks a great chance to be named in the Queensland side to face Western Australia in Townsville next month — and that may be the stage where AFL scouts finally realise he could be worth a punt on.
Even Labrador coach Byron Donnellan, who surely wishes Zorko was wearing Tiger colours, is a fan.
“He’s a ripper and I see him developing into a Matthew Payne type,” said Donnellan.
(Payne is a champion on-baller with Zillmere and a regular Maroon rep).
While Broadbeach coach Shaun Hart was all smiles after the demolition — the Cats so dominated the first half that they led 10-7 to 1-4 at half-time — the result pushed the Tigers further into strife.
Pre-season, the big-recruiting Tigers were touted as flag chances with three ex-AFL players on board while Broadbeach, stripped significantly of playing strength, were being mentioned as possible wooden spooners.
The reverse applies, raising the question of where to now for Labrador after five losses in a row.
The pressure is mounting on Donnellan to stop the bleeding.
“It’s not all doom and gloom, but it’s certainly crossroads at one and five,” said Donnellan.
“Something has to happen.”
The Tigers lack leg speed and mobility, and Donnellan knows it. “We have a lot of plodders,” he conceded.
“That’s all right if they’re getting the ball, but they’re not hitting targets.”
That’s certainly not the case at the Cats, whose young list is high on pace and ran the Tigers ragged, even without injured midfielder Dean Howard.
Scott Beattie and Hamish *smile* provided grunt through the middle, Jesse Derrick and Nathan Lyons shone and young ruckman Mitch Andrews also did well.
“It’s improving bit by bit, and so many guys are playing some good footy,” said Hart.
Labrador’s best by a country mile was Grogan Medal winner, rover Todd Featherstone.
SOUTHPORT blew the chance to grab a share of top spot on the ladder when they were belted by arch rivals Morningside in Brisbane yesterday.
Presented with a golden opportunity to join premiers Mt Gravatt in the lead, following that team’s surprise loss to Zillmere on Saturday, the Sharks looked far from a unit deserving to be head of the pack with an ordinary performance at Esplen Oval.
Morningside broke away in the second half to win 21-8 (134) to 12-15 (87).
Morningside’s form had been ordinary before yesterday with losses to Broadbeach (48 points) and Zillmere (56 points) back-to-back.
But the occasion of another contest against their long-time rivals obviously brought out the best in the Panthers.
Shark coach Craig Crowley said the home side players turned up ready to play.
His side did not. “We didn’t come ready for the traditional Southport-Morningside game and didn’t respond to the pressure they put on us,'’ he said.
“Morningside were ultra aggressive and we had a few who just wanted to look on.'’
Jack Lawler ran riot for the winners from the back, as did impressive Nathan Kinch and Tyson Upton in the midfield, while Brett Connell doused the impact of star Southport forward Ben McEntee, keeping him to just two goals.
For the Sharks, slick defender Kapun Morris was a standout and midfielder Dane Carmody kicked four majors.
Defender Daniel Hawkins was also a solid contributor.
Morningside jumped Southport early and had a handy 20-point lead at half-time.
But a third term of 7-1 to the Sharks’ wasteful 3-6 sentenced the Coast side to an uncomfortable drive back down the M1.
Terry Wilson
