Did you know Dayne Zorko is a professional rules footballer from Australia? This piece lets you know Dayne Zorko’s net worth, parents, family, age, height, wife, partner and other information you need. But then, who is Dayne Zorko?
Bio
Dayne Zorko is an Australian pro-rules footballer playing for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). Zorko is a five-time Merrett–-Murray Medallist and was selected in the 2017 All-Australian team. He was also the Lions’ leading goalkicker in 2016 and 2017. Zorko served as Brisbane Lions captain from 2018 through to 2022.
Early life
| Name | Dayne Zorko |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Occupation | Rules footballer |
| Age | 34 years |
| Height | 1.75m |
Dayne Zorko was born on February 9, 1989 (age 34 years) in Australia. Zorko was raised on the Gold Coast where he attended Benowa State High School throughout his teenage years. His Slovenian father immigrated from Yugoslavia to Melbourne before settling on the Gold Coast and having children. His brother, Beau, is the former senior coach of the Broadbeach Cats and Surfers Paradise Demons.
He participated in Auskick at Surfers Paradise at the age of four and went on to play more than 250 junior and senior games for the club, which included an under-16 premiership where he played alongside future AFL players Ricky Petterd, Brent Renouf, and Jesse White. In 2007, he decided to switch clubs to Broadbeach for his final year of junior football in pursuit of top-level QAFL exposure to increase his AFL draft chances.
Zorko captained Queensland during the 2007 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named the state’s best player during the national carnival, but was overlooked in the 2007 AFL draft. He remained at Broadbeach for the 2008 season and picked up his first senior best-and-fairest award but was again overlooked in the 2008 AFL draft.
In March 2009 the newly formed GC17 consortium invited a then 20-year-old Zorko to train with their under-18 TAC Cup team, which Zorko hoped would lead to a VFL contract with the club for the following season but Gold Coast’s interest waned after two weeks. By the end of the 2010 season, Zorko had amassed three consecutive senior best-and-fairest awards at Broadbeach but still failed to capture the interest of any AFL clubs.
Dayne Zorko found himself at a crossroads when being offered contracts to play in higher standard state leagues outside of Queensland but eventually decided to stay at Broadbeach for the 2011 NEAFL season. Broadbeach coach Matt Angus knew Zorko had the skills to make it in the AFL but described his professionalism as “nowhere near that” required of an AFL player.
At the conclusion of the 2011 season, after winning the NEAFL’s Syd Guildford Trophy as the Football Record Player of the Year, along with a fourth consecutive club best-and-fairest with Broadbeach, he was put back on AFL recruiters’ radars. Zorko later revealed his reason for staying in Queensland was the hope that the recently established Gold Coast Suns AFL team would draft him with their local access zone concessions.
AFL career
Dayne Zorko was recruited by Gold Coast as a Queensland zone selection, before being on-traded to the Brisbane Lions. Zorko made his AFL debut against Collingwood at the Gabba in round 7, 2012, and quickly made a name for himself as a small half-forward flank who could kick freakish goals, lead ing to the nickname “The Magician”.
Dayne Zorko quickly became a cult figure at the Lions despite the team’s woes, with Michael Voss being sacked as coach before the end of the 2013 season and the Lions hovering around the lower reaches of the ladder for several seasons.
After a consistent first few seasons, Zorko was named as the joint winner of the Merrett–Murray Medal in 2015 as Brisbane’s best-and-fairest, alongside Dayne Beams, Stefan Martin and Mitch Robinson. He went on to also win the award in 2016 and 2017, as well as lead the Lions’ goalkicking during those seasons and was also selected in the 2017 All-Australian team as a half-forward.
Dayne Zorko replaced Beams as the Lions’ captain during the 2018 season after Beams stepped down from the captaincy for personal reasons, with Harris Andrews taking over as vice-captain from Zorko. His first match as captain was in round 10 against Sydney at the Gabba.
After Brisbane lost to Melbourne in round 23 of the 2022 season, Zorko apologized for an inappropriate comment he made during the game to Melbourne player Harrison Petty, saying in a statement ‘I understand I need to be a better leader and have spoken with the Club who have reinforced this.” He stood down as captain of the Brisbane Lions ahead of the 2023 season.
His remarkable achievements have earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy car trips. He is one of the richest and most influential professional rules football players in Australia. Dayne Zorko stands at an appealing height of 1.75m and has a good body weight which suits his personality.
Dayne Zorko Wife
Dayne Zorko was married to his ex-wife Kalinda Salla. The couple had a son together. As of September 2023, Dayne is reported to be in a relationship with Talia De Marco. The rules footballer rarely speaks about his personal life.
Dayne Zorko Salary
Dayne Zorko’s salary per month and other career earnings are over $355,000 dollars annually.
Dayne Zorko Net Worth
How much is Dayne Zorko worth? Dayne Zorko’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million. His main source of income is from his primary work as a professional rules football player.