Brisbane forward Dan McStay giving back to Lions and helping new cubs feel at home

He’s a deep-thinking footballer who knows what it’s like to feel unsettled at a footy club. But now, Dan McStay is right at home — for the long-term — and helping his teammates find their roar.

Daniel McStay is a long-term Lion. Pic: AAP

Dan McStay epitomises the word thoughtful.

Both interpretations of the word — considerate of others or to be deep in thought — perfectly describe the Lions forward, who has just signed a new three-year deal with the club.

McStay remembered how he struggled to feel settled as he bounced from house to house in his first few years in Brisbane.

So when he bought his first property a couple of years ago, he went to the club and offered to take in a new draftee.

Zac Bailey has now lived with him for two years and after last year’s draft they added Tom Joyce.

“When I got drafted, my first three or four years, I moved eight times,” he said.

“I found that difficult.

“What I wanted to do was bring some players in who were comfortable to stay with me for two or three years or even longer — as long as they wanted.

“I thought I could help them with their professionalism but also provide that stability that might help with any issues of homesickness.’’

Daniel McStay has signed a new deal. Pic: AAP

Footy clubs are generally divided into a few different interest groups. At Brisbane the golfers dominate and there’s a scattering of fishermen, car buffs and surfers as well.

McStay is known as a team-oriented player but when it comes to free time, he’s happy to drop off the grid with his German Shepherd, Kaiser.

“I spend a lot of my time walking my dog, that is where in recent times I spend a lot of time thinking about things,” he said.

“I go at least once and often twice a day. It is time when I switch off from footy.’’

His personality profile means he will always think before he acts.

It is why, even though he grew up with a tattoo artist for a father in a house where he says there were always heavily-inked visitors from around the world, he has never been tempted.

“I am a deep thinker, I was always thinking about the future and what if I changed and didn’t like it anymore,’’ he said.

Lions players swamp McStay after a goal. Pic: AAP

“I am not the most spontaneous kind of guy, you look at the AFL and there are plenty of guys getting ink but I think for now I’ll stay a clean skin.’’

He is also prone to thinking after he acts, sometimes excessively when it comes to his footy, which is something coach Chris Fagan identified early in their relationship.

“I have had many chats to Fages about that,’’ he admitted.

“He urges me that when things happen on the footy field, if I miss a mark or a shot on goal, to not dwell on it too much and let it affect my confidence.

“It was changing of mindset for me, I used to look at contest and if I hadn’t marked it was a negative.

“Now if I bring it to ground it is a win, if I mark it, it is a bonus.’’