Zorko was adamant the presence of the two fresh faces would ensure Brisbane did not follow Collingwood, Melbourne, Richmond, West Coast and Hawthorn as clubs to win flags only to fade quickly in the past decade.
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The Lions orchestrated their breakthrough premiership triumph this year with fledgling stars Will Ashcroft, Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann, Darcy Wilmot and Jaspa Fletcher heavily involved.
“There’s going to be talk about premiership hangovers and everything like that, there’s no doubt about that, but I just feel like this group has matured so much in the last six years,” Zorko said.
Meanwhile, Keidean Coleman, Darcy Gardiner, Lincoln McCarthy and Tom Doedee would return from injury.
“There were a lot of players on our team last year who missed out on the opportunity to play in that grand final, who have been stalwarts of our club for a number of years. That’s where the motivation is going to lie.
“They’ve got to re-earn their spots back, but if they do, we want them to experience the same thing we were able to.”
Jed Walter of the Suns runs with the ball.Credit: Getty Images
While the Lions’ youngsters are plotting a dynasty to rival that of the early 2000s, the Gold Coast are bracing for history of their own: a maiden finals series under coach Damian Hardwick.
Mac Andrew, 21, would begin 2025 needing to make an impression, having signed the richest deal in AFL history.
He would join the 2024 draft class of Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Will Graham and Jake Rogers, while 20-year-old Bailey Humphrey would enter his third preseason.
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Walter and Humphrey believed the group had the tools to emulate what the Lions achieved by entrusting the fledgling crop with greater ownership of the team.
“We’re all very close to each other, so the team chemistry and connection [is what] we’re really trying to stamp into our team” Walter said. “We’ve already spent a few years together, so now we’re taking it to the next level.
“Coming in last year, I was probably fourth or fifth key forward, with some more experienced boys in front. I’ve got to ... really try to be one of the key pillars in the side.”
Humphrey added: “Last year for me was a letdown year, but I’ve always got high standards and try to drive myself with that,” revealing he had achieved personal best results in gym testing.
“Dimma [Hardwick] is trying to drive the younger lads so we can take a bit of the load off the older lads and not rely on just three or four people to do everything.
“The young lads are getting together and driving the standards at training so far, so hopefully we can keep that going, and it can go into the season.”