WITH his magician’s name and bag of tricks, Dayne Zorko qualifies as a Brisbane Lions cult hero – but he says within the club’s four walls that title belongs to an unassuming teammate.

Ryan Lester played his 100th AFL game in last week’s QClash and the milestone passed with barely a mention.

However, inside the Gabba, a week never passes without his on and off-field deeds being highlighted by appreciative coaches or teammates.

TRADE TALK: LIONS WON’T APOLOGISE TO CROWS

Round 18

MEMBER LADDER: HOW MANY MEMBERS AT YOUR CLUB?

TRADE NEWS: LIONS DECLARE INTEREST IN CROWS’ CAMERON

Zorko said it was common for Lester, on top of his own weekly review, to go through a teammate’s tape with them and then clear time to help them practise the areas that had been identified.

“The things he does inside the four walls maybe that other people don’t see, everyone loves him for it,’’ Zorko said.

“I reckon he’d be the most revered player at our club.’’

Ryan Lester is highly respected at Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

The 24-year-old is neither an elite athlete nor kick of the footy, although he does possess vice-like hands and is a very good overhead mark.

His true value lies in his footy IQ, the ability and willingness to play any role the team requires, often changing within a game, and his complete selflessness.

“He is the ultimate role player because he is so versatile, with his ability to play midfield, forward and back, often within the one game,’’ Zorko said.

“And he never complains, he puts the team first every single time with everything he does, and that’s why he’s our cult hero.’’

As his team prepares to take on Melbourne at the MCG this afternoon, coach Chris Fagan went one step further, rating Lester the Lions’ most important player.

“And he is such a student of the game that he knows what he has to do in any given situation,’’ Fagan said. ‘‘The other great part about him is he is able to coach the other guys out on the field, where they need to stand and what they need to do.

“He isn’t necessarily our best player but in many ways he is our most important.’’

Zorko said emerging leader Harris Andrews was not only fiercely protective of the younger players and the entire defence but was also the most likely to give a spray to the club’s big three – Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff and Zorko.

“He cuddles his defenders if there is a mistake,’’ he said.

Ryan Lester after his 100th game. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

“He is encouraging towards the younger blokes but is more than comfortable giving some pretty direct feedback to the leaders and experienced blokes.

“It is like a 30-year-old’s head on a 21-year-old’s body, it is incredible.’’