THE BRISBANE Lions have the players to achieve something "special" following Sunday's drought-breaking win over Carlton, according to young key forward Daniel McStay.

McStay was one of the heroes in the nine-point victory, booting a career-high four goals, and was joined in the list of best players by teenage defender Harris Andrews. 

The win provided a glimpse into the Lions' list of young talent, with key men Pearce Hanley (hip) and Daniel Merrett (hamstring) both missing and Daniel Rich (eight disposals) having minimal influence. 

McStay was playing just his 15th game, and was, as he has been for most of the season, the primary target inside forward 50. 

At the other end of the ground, Lions academy product Andrews was playing just his third game but shone late in the match with some timely defensive marks and spoils.

After a tumultuous week in Brisbane, McStay said everyone at the club stuck together and got rewarded with their first win of 2015.

"I think we're a pretty tight group; most of us being from interstate, we need each other," McStay said at the Monday morning recovery session.

"We still are a building club.

"Look at our spine, Harris Andrews in his first year, we've got five blokes in their second year.

"I don't think there's a crisis at the moment. I think we're still a young team, we've got a lot to improve on. We're building to something special and we've got the spine to do that. 

At just 21, Justin Clarke was the oldest and most experienced of the key defenders, while ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and occasionally Stefan Martin helped McStay as key forward targets. 

McStay said the major area for improvement against the Blues came from the forward pressure.

Following a heavy loss to Gold Coast eight days earlier, Leppitsch had questioned the work rate of his small forwards.

"That was a real key. We definitely got that done yesterday," McStay said.

"It shows when the forward pressure's up, they get into the game. Josh Green was able to kick three goals, so it really does create a flow-on effect.

"The forwards are meant to be your best defenders. We want their forward pressure to be elite. 

"It wasn't happening at stages so we had to put a huge emphasis on it this week to make sure it did get done."