A FIERY Dayne Zorko says he is sick of losing and has slammed his Brisbane Lions teammates for not following instructions in Sunday's 82-point loss to North Melbourne.
The usually bubbly Lions vice-captain was in no mood for jokes at Monday's recovery session, criticising his team's work-rate and lack of desire for the contest after their second successive loss to the start the season.
Zorko said the effort against the Kangaroos was unacceptable and highlighted a number of areas the Lions failed in.
"Blokes who aren't prepared to play their role for the team," Zorko said.
"Boys not bringing their pressure around the contest. There was a number of things there we set ourselves to win on the night, and we didn't even win one.
"It's extremely disappointing that we can't follow simple instructions and do what the coaches require."
The 26-year-old did not stop there, and pointed the finger squarely at his team's much-hyped midfield, of which he is a part.
North Melbourne destroyed the Lions through the middle of Etihad Stadium, winning the clearances 42-24 and contested possessions 143-119.
Zorko spared nobody.
"A lot of guys are in the side to pressure – blokes aren't prepared to pressure," Zorko said.
"Blokes are in the side to win contested ball, they're not winning contested ball.
"It's a whole-team effort, it's a team game, and at the moment we're not buying into it and we're not playing as a family that we pride ourselves on.
"We've got a very mature midfield now that should be able to go with any midfield in the competition.
"We've got a lot of depth in there and last night we got beaten at the contest, beaten at contested football, second to the football, weren't prepared to lay tackles, no pressure.
"If it's not won in the midfield – and that's where we pride ourselves on being good – you're not going to win any games."
In the absence of injured skipper Tom Rockliff, Zorko is likely to captain the Lions against Richmond on Saturday night, as he and fellow vice-captain Daniel Rich share duties.
"It's pretty simple to win the ball and we're not even doing that," Zorko said.
"Once we get the fundamentals right and start winning the ball, hopefully we'll get some results."
"I'm sick of losing and I'm sure they (teammates) are too."
