In the absence of injured utility Brent Staker, Daniel McStay has emerged as a valuable commodity for Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch and the Brisbane Lions.

Despite having played forward at times throughout his junior days, McStay was recruited largely as a defender, but showed last Sunday exactly how potent he can be when shifted to attack.

The 19-year-old booted a game-high three goals against Melbourne, and provided another marking target for his side.

At 194cm, he’s just one centimetre shorter than Jonathan Brown and Daniel Merrett, but has the ability of playing ‘small’ as well.

Leppitsch likened McStay to gun Geelong defender Harry Taylor post-game, primarily for his ability to play a variety of different roles, both up forward and down back.

Assistant Coach Shane Woewodin went so far as to label him the ‘ultimate swing man’.

“He was very encouraging. He was the ultimate swing-man on the day,” Woewodin told LionsTV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“He started back and we swung him forward at times and he had an impact there – kicking three goals.

“It was also the way he kicked them – strong one-on-one contested marks deep forward for us. He’s a big man and he used his frame really well.”