Dayne Zorko has praised the important roles that Daniel McStay and Brandon Starcevich play in Brisbane’s side.
McStay has been the third cog in the Lions’ three-pronged attack alongside Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, while Starcevich is the club’s number one small defender, often tasked with quelling the league’s best small forwards.
“When he (McStay) came back into the side in Round 5 last year, he really straightened us up,” Lions skipper Zorko told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s just so reliable and so diligent in his role and plays it to absolute perfection every week. He might not get the statistics on the scorecard, but he certainly makes our team move a hell of a lot better.
“Brandon Starcevich is another one that has been able to play massive lockdown roles on the competition’s best small forwards.
“At times he got recognised throughout the year, but I think he finished fourth or fifth in our best and fairest, so it certainly wasn’t unnoticed in our four walls.”
Fit-again Noah Answerth is enjoying an injury-free pre-season and will bolster Brisbane’s defensive stocks.
“And there’s a young kid Noah Answerth. He’s had two years out - he’s had groin issues and back issues - he’s had a really solid pre-season as well,” Zorko said.
“He’s another that is just so reliable, and you know what you’re going to get. I think those players are so important.
“They are important to premiership sides, there’s no doubt about that.”
Answerth, 22, has played 28 games since making his Lions debut in 2019.