By Mark Perriman
All-Australian midfielder Dayne Beams is returning home to Queensland after Collingwood agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Brisbane Lions.
As the headline act in a five-club trade, the 2012 Copeland Trophy winner’s public desire to return home for family reasons came to fruition after the Lions offered the Pies gun rising midfielder Jack Crisp in addition to picks 5 and 25.
Brisbane Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager Peter Schwab said the club was thrilled at landing their prized target, as well as pick 67.
“Dayne is one of the competitions premier midfielders,” said Schwab
“He is an elite player and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Lions family.”
With younger brother Claye making a name for himself in the maroon, blue and gold, the former Southport Shark returns to the Sunshine State to be closer to father Philip, who is undergoing treatment for bowel cancer.
Growing up on the Gold Coast, Dayne’s rise to the game’s elite level began as a six year old with the Mudgeeraba Spartans.
As an U12, U15, U16 Queensland representative between 2002 and 2006, the 110-gamer was provided the necessary skills to take his game to the next level.
Following his move to Southport in 2007, Beams quickly rose through the local ranks to earn his QAFL debut in Round 15 against Redlands.
By the time 2008 came around, Beams had become a regular fixture on the back page of the Gold Coast Bulletin.
It would prove to be for the 110 gamer, as AFL scouts flocked to get a closer look at the former U18 Queensland captain as he helped guide the Sharks to the 2008 QAFL flag.
Having opted to nominate for the draft, Beams was selected by Collingwood with Pick 29.
Following some promising outings in the NAB Cup, Collingwood’s bargain buy slipped seamlessly into seniors, playing 18 games in a debut season that netted him the Harry Collier Trophy as the club’s Best First Year Player.
With his days in the black and white now officially behind him, the classy on-baller can look forward to playing a central role in what looks to be a formidable Brisbane midfield.
“With the likes of Rich, Rockliff, Redden, Hanley, Christensen and now Beams running through the midfield, you can’t help but get excited about the future of our football Club,” said Schwab.
The future looks bright at Woolloongabba, with Schwab believing that free agency has enabled the clubs to make short-term strides by luring premium talent.
“This trade period we have made a real effort to attract A-grade talent to our football Club, and with both Dayne and Allen coming on board this week I think we have been successful.”
Despite some interest from Queensland rivals the Suns, given his family ties to the Lions, Schwab says the club was always confident at landing their man.
“Dayne expressed his desire to come to our footy Club and naturally we were very keen to make that a reality,” said Schwab.
