Heading into the closing weeks of an AFL season with everything to play for is a new sensation for Brisbane’s Daniel McStay.

The 24-year-old hasn’t experienced much joy in his previous five seasons at the Gabba, winning just 18 of 79 matches following his 2014 debut.

In those seasons the Lions finished 15th, 17th, 17th, 18th and 15th.

Already in 2019 McStay has played in 12 wins for the Lions as they’ve rocketed to second on the ladder with just five matches to go in the regular season.

It’s a run the forward says he could only dream of during his early years at the Lions.

“It means a lot to us absolutely and we’re hungrier than ever,” McStay said.

“When you’ve been down for so long – the likes of Richy (Daniel Rich) and Zorks (Dayne Zorko), you know Rich hasn’t played in a final for 10 years – we’re hungry for more success.

“That’s what we’re aiming at.

“I always used to think about when we were down the bottom that success would feel so much sweeter playing for Brisbane and challenging to push higher up the ladder.

“We’re just really excited.”

McStay signed a three-year contract extension earlier in the week, keeping him at the Gabba until the end of the 2022 campaign.

He joins a list of Lions players including Zorko, Mitch Robinson, Jarrod Berry and Rhys Mathieson to sign extensions in 2019.

Coach Chris Fagan said Brisbane’s surge up the ladder had played a key role in convincing so many players to commit their futures to the club.

“The more the boys feel like there’s going to be success at the club at some point in time, the more they’re inclined to stay to some degree,” Fagan said.

“Also, all the staff here, everyone, has worked really hard to make this club a good place to be, a place where you come to and improve as a person and as a footballer. That helps too.”