Two of the best players on the Brisbane Lions have continued to build a ambassadorial relationship with the Park Ridge Pirates.
Dane Zorko and Ryan Lester visited the Pirates training last Tuesday, the sixth visit for Zorko and the fifth for Lester.
The Lions players took time to speak with each of the Park Ridge junior sides including the under 12s, under 14s, under 16s and under 15s girls as well as the senior squad members present which provided a boost to the club’s players ahead of finals in three weeks time according to Pirates club president Andy Colenso.
“The boys went around to most of the groups and had a chat just about where they were at with their footy, just because of the varying ages with some being 16s and couple years away from making decisions on their footy and future, and some at 12 years old just making their pathway to footy,” he said.
“It was good how they spoke to the kids about where they’d come from at that relevant age and with the girls it was more about how strong the growth of girls’ footy has been and the opportunities now, and what it looks like to be a professional player and that there may be opportunities in the future for girls to be in that positions.
Colenso said the club is thrilled to be able to call two of the best players on the Lions list of 44 players visit the club each year.
“Zorko is a big name and Lester is in their leadership group and probably one of the most respected players in their list, and I think it’s good that in the past the inner city clubs like Coorparoo, Morningside etc have always got visits from the Jonathon Browns and Michael Voss’ and the better players,” he said.
“I know a lot of the other clubs were saying why can’t they get Zorko out, why does Park Ridge get him all the time but he just said as far as he is concerned he is our ambassador, and he comes whenever we need him which is great.”
Colenso said one of the best aspects of the annual visits made by the two players is the loyalty they have shown to the Pirates club.
“We forged a relationship with these two players when they first came out about five or six years ago, when they weren't playing senior footy, when Zorko first came to the club he hadn't played a game and Lester had only played one or two games, so we requested them every year, we just kept asking for them because they were just great for the kids,” he said.
“Now it turns out they are probably among their best players, Zorks would probably be their number one player and Lester would be in their top five and the loyalty we have shown to them they have shown to us by coming out to the club all the time which is great.”
Colenso said the club is now focused on the final rounds of the season.
“We’ve got two rounds left before the finals and at the moment all our youth teams are in contention for the finals, which is great; and that will be the first time in our club’s history, there wouldn't be many teams in the league I think that will have every youth team in finals; that just goes to show our program is working and our talent pool is good enough that we are competitive wherever they play.”
The Lions’ visit coincided with the Pirates’ ‘Pie Night’ sponsored and attended by Logan City Council Division 7 councillor Laurie Smith and mayor Luke Smith.
