Rising Star winner Lewy Taylor has shrugged off second-year blues to become a shining light for the injury-hit Lions, according to Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch.

Leppitsch said the Club’s crippling injury toll had given the club’s youngsters an extended chance at the highest level and Taylor had showed the way before the Round 11 bye.

“His first part of the year was a bit quieter but we’ve brought him up into the midfield and he’s been good,’’ Leppitsch told The Courier-Mail.

“Lewy’s form in the past month has been terrific.

“The second-year blues, it’s around. We’ve got six to seven second-year boys so if anyone is going to suffer, it’s us.

“Our boys have been OK and are fighting through it. It’s never easy but they’ve done pretty well.’’

Taylor said shifting to the wing from the half-forward line had been a shot in the arm.

“We are getting a few numbers back which is handy and we think we have a few winnable games coming up and hopefully we can string together four quarters and get those wins,’’ he said.

“I’ve been getting a bit more time through the midfield and wing. It’s a tough role but it’s rewarding.’’

Taylor had a 31-touch day against the Giants in Round 10 and a 32-possession outing against St Kilda in Round 9.