Daniel McStay Biography

Dan McStay officially informs the Lions of his intention to join the Magpies in 2023 as an unrestricted free agent.

It's taken more than 130 games but Daniel McStay is finally starting to believe he belongs at AFL level.

"It might sound funny playing 130-odd games, but I actually am starting to believe I do belong at AFL level, and I'm starting to realise the player I can be," McStay said.

"That's a massive part of me being able to hit my prime, be confident in my skin, flying for the ball, using my weapons to the best of my ability and being consistent."

Dan McStay could miss up to six weeks after suffering a knee injury at training.

McStay and the club initially feared the injury could have been worse, but scans confirmed medial cruciate ligament damage that does not require surgery.

Daniel McStay signs a three-year contract extension to remain at the Lions until end of 2022.

"Things have changed massively since I got drafted, when we were labelled a place where players didn't want to play," he said.

"The biggest thing for us has been the culture shift and making it a winning culture."

Dan McStay says his young teammates helped pave the way for his recent contract extension.

"There was a little temptation to go home with my family being from Melbourne, but at the end of the day I love where the club's at and I feel like having a lot of the young boys signing on gives me confidence we're heading in the right direction," McStay said.

"In the end it was a pretty easy decision."

Daniel McStay signs a two-year deal with Brisbane to remain at the club until the end of 2019.

"We see Dan as a long-term player for us and believe he has a strong part to play in our future," Lions general manager of football David Noble said.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is full of praise for Daniel McStay despite Sydney star Lance Franklin kicking eight goals against the young defender.

Fagan revealed that he spoke with his backman at three-quarter time to check if he wanted to finish the game on Franklin, and he was rapt when McStay refused to take the easy way out and switch opponents.

"When I hear that its music to my ears and that’s what we're after as coaches," Fagan said.

"They've all got a really good growth mindset, they understand that you've got to go through experiences like this and come out the other side to be a good player."

Dan McStay is ruled out for the final six rounds of the season with a broken ankle.

McStay suffered the injury in the third quarter of Brisbane's 79-point loss against Greater Western Sydney and scans confirmed the worst possible result.

Daniel McStay has extended his contract with the Brisbane Lions by a further two seasons, keeping him at the club until the end of 2017.

"I'm just happy to be McStaying," McStay joked.

"Seriously though I have really enjoyed my time at the club so far and I was just rapt to get the opportunities that I did this year.

"The club is establishing a really good young list and I feel we are working towards something special. I'm excited to be a part of it."

Daniel McStay makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 5 disposals (2 kicks and 3 handballs), a mark and 2 tackles in a 4-point win over North Melbourne.