Claye Beams’ standout performance in the Lions Reserves’ breakthrough NEAFL Premiership win on Sunday afternoon capped off what has been a pretty big few days for his family.
On a big occasion for the Club, Beams was the game’s most influential player – collecting 33 disposals and kicking four goals in the team’s 60-point victory over the NT Thunder.
The 21 year-old also had a team-high six tackles and seven inside 50s.
Amon Buchanan – playing one of his final matches for the Club – collected a game-high 38 disposals, closely followed by forward-turned-midfielder Patrick Karnezis who finished with 34 touches.
Check out the complete Lions player statistics from Sunday’s NEAFL Grand Final
In the end it came as no surprise to see Beams awarded the Joe Grant Medal as best-on-ground.
He becomes just the second Lions player in history to receive the Medal – after Ben Robbins took the honour in the Reserves’ 2001 Premiership triumph.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Beams’ older brother Dayne – who had mourned the passing of former teammate and good friend John McCarthy during the week – was a key contributor in Collingwood’s emotional Semi Final victory over West Coast at the MCG.
“Great game of footy! So proud of the brother,” Claye Beams tweeted on Saturday night.
Claye’s Twitter tributes to Dayne continued on Monday night after the elder Beams was named in the 2012 AFL All Australian side for the first time.
“Congrats on the big Bro on making the All Australian team,” Claye said.
Courtesy of lions.com.au
