Brisbane Lions skipper Dayne Beams reckons Dayne Zorko is a "top five player" but doesn't get the credit he deserves because he plays outside of Melbourne.
While the rebuilding Lions are stuck to the bottom of the AFL ladder amid another losing season, Zorko's stunning form has given them some cause to celebrate.
The 28-year-old has improved on nearly all of his major career statistical averages, picking up nearly 27 possessions, six clearances, two goals and seven tackles per game.
Champion Data's AFL Player Ratings rank him as the seventh-best player in the competition.
In last week's 40-point defeat to Port Adelaide, he collected 32 touches, laid 12 tackles and kicked two goals.
Beams believes there is no doubt Zorko has broken into the AFL's elite bracket.
"I don't think Zork gets the credit he should," he said.
"If he was playing at a Melbourne club - and I've played at a Melbourne club - and producing the type of footy he's producing, he'd be talked about a lot.
"I look at the competition now, I watch a bit of footy, and he's a top five player.
"He's always been a very talented player but probably maybe lacked a bit of consistency, but he's producing every week now and is vitally important for us."
Zorko has won Brisbane's best and fairest Merrett-Murray Medal for the past two years and at this rate would be in strong contention for All-Australian honours.
"I think he should be in consideration, yeah," Beams said.
"His form's as good as anyone's. Statistically if you look at him, he's as good as anyone going around."
The Lions host Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba on Saturday.
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