BRISBANE Lions coach Chris Fagan expects Dayne Zorko to cop more tagging attention in the future after the explosive midfielder played arguably his worst game in the AFL on Saturday night.
Zorko was almost invisible as Greater Western Sydney utility Sam Reid tracked his every move and restricted him to a paltry five disposals.
Zorko didn't get a single touch in the second half.
The performance was in stark contrast to his brilliant season to date, which has seen the 28-year-old averaged 27 disposals and kick 18 goals and have his named mentioned in Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad consideration.
"It's very unlike him," Fagan said.
"I don't want to sit here and criticise him because he's been fantastic for us all season.
"What we'll do is we'll have a look at the tape and we'll treat it as a learning experience, so when it happens again, and it probably will, that he can cope with it a bit better.
"It comes with being a great player and he'll have to learn to cope with it."
Five talking points: Brisbane Lions v Greater Western Sydney
With Zorko quiet and captain Dayne Beams injured in the game's opening minute, the younger Lions brigade had to take on more responsibility.
Second-year midfielder Rhys Mathieson (32 disposals) made the most of his larger midfield role, while first-year players Alex Witherden (who was on debut), Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry all impressed.
Fagan said despite the 60-point defeat, there was a lot to like.
"For us winning quarters against good opposition is a really important part of our development and to be able to do that when it looked like we were on the ropes and be ready to be absolutely smashed was one of the really pleasing aspects of the game," he said.
"On the scoreboard we lost by 10 goals, but we had lots of little wins."
WATCH: Chris Fagan's full post-match media conference
Although the Lions were burnt on turnovers, Fagan said they would continue to take risks and attack.
"We probably made some wrong decisions in the first half, but that comes with trying to take the game on," he said.
"Live by the sword, die by the sword.
"The great teams can use the ball really well and we have to keep encouraging them to do it.
"I don't reckon our supporters, or even you guys, want to see us play long down the line, boring footy.
"We're not going to do that."
WATCH: Plenty of biffs, bumps and bruises
