After enjoying a breakout season last year, Beams’ follow-up campaign has been blighted by injury, with a quadriceps concern sustained on the eve of round one conspiring to consign the All-Australian midfielder to the sidelines.
Whilst Beams has sat on the cusp of a comeback only to have his hopes dashed by an injury relapse, the 23-year old has benefitted from a conservative approach to his rehabilitation which has seen him declared a contender for VFL action should he pass a fitness test later in the week.
View Collingwood's full injury list here.
Beams’ potential return is merely but one of the bright stories to emerge from the Westpac Centre this week amid the gloom of Saturday’s loss to Port Adelaide, with Darren Jolly and Ben Reid in line for a swift recall to senior action if provided clearance by Collingwood’s medical staff.
Ruled out from selection for the Port Adelaide clash due to hamstring tightness, Reid’s potential inclusion will bolster a Magpie backline which struggled under the sheer weight of pressure applied the Power, and likely to replicated in some way by Carlton at the MCG on Friday.
A return for Jolly meanwhile would present coach Nathan Buckley with a welcome selection dilemma after Ben Hudson once again deputised admirably, stepping into the void as lead ruckman.
On the VFL front, Tyson Goldsack may join Beams in featuring at Box Hill Oval, with the 2010 Premiership player recovering sufficiently to merit consideration, once again pending successful completion of testing.
Evaluating the state of Collingwood’s injury list, coach Nathan Buckley was equivocal, reflecting that he may not be able to field his strongest side until the dying weeks of the season.
“We're running out of time in regards to getting some momentum going. We don't want to be waiting until round 21 or 22 to be putting our best side together,” he said.
“We've missed Beamsy. We have missed Goldy, but it has to be case by case. If they are right to go, they will come in. If not they will get an extra week.”
Alan Didak (calf), Ben Johnson (calf) and Jack Frost (knee) remain at least fortnight away from availability, while Alex Fasolo (foot) and Dale Thomas (ankle) are out indefinitely.
Young forward Michael Hartley joins Alan Toovey as a season-long casualty due to a shoulder injury, compounding a frustrating season for the New South Welshman.
View Collingwood's full injury list here.
