THE BRISBANE Lions' leadership has come into sharp focus this season, but Dayne Zorko and Tom Rockliff stood up when it mattered in their side's four-point victory over Carlton.

Zorko notched the highest score of the round in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, finishing the game with 35.9 points. The vice-captain was dynamic for the Lions, setting up his side's win with an outstanding first-half display.

He had 19 touches, 10 inside 50s, three goals and four goal assists at the break, leading his team to an imposing 40-point lead at half-time. 

Zorko broke into the competition's top 10 for the first time after the weekend's action, becoming the 30th player to do since overall standings started in round one, 2012.

The 27-year-old also became the Lions' first player to break into the Player Ratings' top 10. His 35.9 points was also the 10th best game recorded during the Player Ratings era (since 2010).

Zorko, who has become one of the AFL's most damaging pressure forwards, also kicked his 100th goal in his 99th game.

"A little goal of mine was always to kick 100 goals in 100 games and my [teammate] Joshy Green, he's already kicked his 100th goal, so I felt like I needed to step it up a bit," Zorko told lions.com.au.

"It's a pretty cool achievement, I guess."

While Zorko was brilliant against the Blues, Rockliff also put an indifferent season, in which he's had his leadership, fitness and future at the club questioned, behind him to show the kind of ownership many expect of him.

The captain was ranked third in the competition for round 21, behind Zorko and West Coast's Luke Shuey (35.1), chalking up 25.7 Player Ratings points.

Rockliff had a game-high 39 disposals to go with 12 tackles and two goals in one of his best games of the season.

"I thought our leaders were very good," coach Justin Lepptisch said.

"Tom was excellent and Dayne was terrific. I was rapt with our leaders."