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Zorko's positive injury update on key Lions quartet
Jack Elliott • September 3rd, 2025 11:12 am
Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko has provided an update on the Lions’ injured players.
Premiership midfielders Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry headline the list of Lions hoping to return for their Qualifying Final clash with Geelong on Friday night, along with Oscar McInerney and Eric Hipwood.
The former captain is optimistic that Neale and Berry, plus ruckman McInerney - who missed last year's flag with a shoulder injury - will return to the side against the Cats.
“They’re going well,” Zorko told SENQ Breakfast.
“I’m very confident Lachie will be playing. Jarrod still has a few things he needs to tick off in regards to his shoulder.”
Two-time Brownlow medallist Neale missed the Lions’ last three games with a quad strain, while a shoulder injury sidelined Berry against Hawthorn.
McInerney will look to return to the AFL side after impressing at VFL level over the last month.
“He pulled up really well after the weekend’s game, he played really, really well. He still gets that back tightness and soreness, but whether or not that would keep him out of a final, probably unlikely,” Zorko said of the 'Big O'.
Zorko also noted that key forward Hipwood is closing in on a return from a calf injury sustained against Fremantle in Round 23.
“Yeah, (he’s) going well. He’s been running the last few weeks, which is a really good sign," he said.
“He’s progressing in what he’s been able to do. He’s looking really good. I know he’s really stubborn, so he’s going to be trying his absolute hardest to be right for whether it’s next week or the week after.”
Brisbane will begin its finals campaign against the Cats at the MCG on Friday night as they chase back-to-back premierships.
