Selected with the 29th pick of the 2008 National Draft, Beams quickly adapted to the cut and thrust of senior football, developing into an integral member of a Collingwood side, which would go on to claim the 2010 Premiership, augmenting a midfield unit ranking among the best in the competition.
However, with his distinctive hard running style and goal kicking prowess, Beams soon received recognition in his own right, as 2012 marked his ascension to the realm of elite midfielders when he claimed the E.W. Copeland Trophy and earned selection on the wing in the All-Australian team.
Injuries ruined his 2013 campaign, but he has quickly made up for lost time in 2014, ranking first at the club for tackles, clearances and inside 50s and equal second for disposals and goals.
Dayne Beams - the story so far
2013
An awfully frustrating campaign for one of the competition’s premier onballers. Beams entered 2013 with the football world at his feet after claiming his first Copeland Trophy and All-Australian gongs the previous October.
His start to the NAB Cup (42 possessions and nine clearances across three games) suggested that he was set to continue his winning ways, but a torn quad during the team’s final training session before round one ruined his season. He was seemingly forever only 1-2 weeks away from a return that had to wait until 6 July.
Beams quickly showed that he was keen to make up for lost time, collecting 28 possessions and eight clearances as well as kicking the match winning goal against Box Hill in round 13 of the VFL. The match committee acted quickly, calling him up for the senior match against Adelaide six days later.
Beams got the wheels ticking over with 25 possessions and four tackles before putting the foot down with 34 and 37 possessions against the two expansion clubs in the fortnight that followed. His form remained consistent in the lead up to September though he was laid low by back stiffness in round 22.
He signed off on a frustrating year with an equal team high 29 touches in the Elimination Final loss to Port Adelaide.
2012
It was a terrific breakout year for the Queenslander in 2012.
He put a pre-season shin complaint behind him to make a smooth transition into the midfield and did more than just settle there, ending the year as the competition’s leading disposal getter with 741.
Beams signed a three-year contract extension in August, which was further justified when he was named All-Australian and then won his first Copeland Trophy. He was elevated to the leadership group in the second half of the season.
2011
A mixed season.
He started well with 26 disposals and three goals against North Melbourne in round two, but was omitted after a quiet ANZAC Day. Proved his worth against Geelong in the VFL in round seven, winning 32 disposals and kicking one goal.
He eturned in round nine but broke his foot a fortnight later against St Kilda and spent the next seven weeks in the grandstand. Hit form immediately against the Bombers in round 19 and had between 25-31 disposals in the next six matches.
Beams went into the Preliminary Final against Hawthorn with groin soreness and paid the price, doing further damage and was eventually subbed off at three quarter time with only two handballs to his name. He stood down from the team ahead of the Grand Final as a result of the injury, upholding the legacy of Simon Prestigiacomo and putting the team ahead of himself.
2010
Named as an emergency for round one but returned in round two and didn’t miss a game from there on. Averaged 20.4 disposals and kicked 26 goals to run sixth in the Copeland Trophy, and walked away with a premiership medallion in only his second season.
He struggled to convert in front of goal, notably late in the game against Hawthorn in round 22 (26.32 for the season). His form tapered in the last six weeks, but it didn’t detract from a brilliant season for such a young player.
Kept the side in the game against Geelong in round nine when he kicked four of the team’s six goals. Received two Brownlow votes against Carlton in round 18.
2009
Showed promise in the NAB Cup but missed selection in round one.
The teenager was forced to drive up the highway from a VFL practice match at Kardinia Park to make a rushed debut the following week against Melbourne at the MCG when Dale Thomas was a late withdrawal. Beams looked right at home, winning 18 disposals and goaling for the first time.
Played 18 games in his debut season, earned a Rising Star nomination in round 17 after the win over Carlton, and his performance peaked in round 20 when he had 30 disposals (and two Brownlow votes) against Richmond.
He received maximum Brownlow votes the following week in the win over Sydney. Was sidelined from the Adelaide semi final with a calf strain but returned for the preliminary final. Played three matches in the VFL. Won the Harry Collier Trophy as Best First Year Player.
2008
Played for Southport in the QAFL. Represented Queensland at the U18 National Championships, where he averaged 24 disposals. Played three games for the Queensland Scorpions in the TAC Cup. Opted not to sign with his native Gold Coast ahead of their entry into the AFL in 2011 and instead tried his luck in the National Draft.
His decision was vindicated when Collingwood drafted him with selection 29. Beams admitted post-draft that he had always wanted to join Collingwood, and was the only Queenslander to attend the AFL Draft Camp.
2007
Made his senior debut for Southport aged 17 and was runner-up in the Southport U18 Best and Fairest.
