BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Daniel McStay of the Lions competes for the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 17 match between the Brisbane Lions and the GWS Giants at The Gabba on July 17, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Media)

Brisbane defender Daniel McStay will miss the final six rounds of the season due to a broken ankle.

McStay sustained the injury early in the second half against the Giants on Sunday afternoon.

He is the fifth Brisbane player to be ruled out for the remainder of the season, with Dayne Beams (knee), Allen Christensen (collarbone), Tom Bell (knee) and Ryan Harwood (knee) all on the sidelines for the rest of 2016.

“He's been a mainstay for us in defence this year and has shown great leadership as one of the younger guys down back. He’ll be a big loss,” Brisbane football manager Matthew Francis said.

McStay, in his third season at the Lions, has played 12 games this season, averaging 11.5 disposals, 3.8 marks and 5.5 kicks per game.

Meanwhile, Lewis Taylor, who was a late withdrawal from the side that suffered a 79-point loss to GWS, is expected to miss this week's clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.