Zane Zakostelsky

Zane Zakostelsky
Personal information
Born (2005-12-14) 14 December 2005
Original team Claremont (WAFL)
North Beach Junior Football Club
Draft No. 51, 2023 AFL draft
Debut Opening Round, 2026, Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs, at the Gabba
Height 196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Position Ruckman/Key Defender
Club information
Current club Brisbane Lions
Number 21
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2024– Brisbane Lions 2 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 1, 2026.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Zane Zakostelsky (born 14 December 2005) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life

Zakostelsky attended school at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento.[1] He was a Fremantle fan growing up.[2]

Junior career

Zakostelsky played junior football as a ruckman with the North Beach Junior football club.[3] He also played basketball, representing Perry Lakes in the NBL1 West.[2]

Zakostelsky joined Claremont in the WAFL Colts at the age of 17.[4] He was named best afield in the WAFL Colts Grand Final.[5] He also played two games for Western Australia in the Under 18 Championships.[3]

AFL career

Zakostelsky was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with pick 51 of the 2023 AFL draft.[6] It was announced that he would make his debut in Opening Round of the 2026 AFL season.[7][8] His debut made him the first ever player to have the letter "Z" as the initial of both his first name and his surname.[9]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 1, 2026.[10]

Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2026 Brisbane Lions 21 2 1 0 13 5 18 9 3 0.5 0.0 6.5 2.5 9.0 4.5 1.5 TBA
Career 2 1 0 13 5 18 9 3 0.5 0.0 6.5 2.5 9.0 4.5 1.5 0

References

  1. ^ "BREAKING NEWS 🏈🥳 A massive congratulations to Zane Zakostelsky (Year 12 Carden) who has been selected by the mighty Brisbane Lions in tonight's AFL Draft!". instagram.com. Sacred Heart College Sorrento. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Schmook, Nathan. "'A bit of a wake-up call': Rejection fuels fire for WA draft bolter". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b Keating, Mitch. "AFL Draft Profile: Zane Zakostelsky". zerohanger.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Zane Zakostelsky". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  5. ^ Alvaro, Michael. "2023 AFL Draft Review: Brisbane". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Lions Draft Hybrid Forwards Followed By West Aussie Duo". lions.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Zakostelsky to debut, Allen's first game as a Lion". lions.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  8. ^ Kirby, Aaron (5 March 2026). "Former West Coast Eagle Oscar Allen to debut for Brisbane Lions with West Australian Zane Zakostelsky". The West Australian. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  9. ^ Blucher, Peter. "Zakostelsky's debut to bring unique AFL first". lions.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Zane Zakostelsky". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 March 2026.