Beams, who was withdrawn from the team to play the Western Bulldogs last round due to a calf injury, has trained strongly throughout the week to prove he has overcome any lingering doubts to reclaim his place in the side.
The Queensland native has further enhanced his reputation as one of the competitions leading midfielders with a stellar campaign this season, averaging over 28 disposals a game while garnering a team-high 67 clearances to emphasise his importance to the Magpie on-ball brigade.
Beams’ scoreboard prowess has also come to the fore once again this year, with 16 majors ample return for a player who possesses a seemingly uncanny ability to goal at pivotal moments, highlighted by his game changing effort in the final quarter against West Coast during round 10.
Read collingwoodfc.com.au's Ultimate Preview of Saturday's clash with the Hawks.
Tasked with challenging the Western Bulldogs’ fledgling, but highly regarded midfield core last weekend, Beams’ absence proved conspicuous, making his return for this weekend’s clash with reigning premiers Hawthorn all the more timely.
Emerging big man Brodie Grundy is the player forced to make way for Beams’ return, his relegation to the emergencies list paving the way for fellow goliath Jarrod Witts to assume primary ruck duties after the 21-year old performed admirably against the Bulldogs Will Minson.
Despite making only a cameo appearance during his debut AFL appearance as a substitute last weekend, utility Tim Broomhead has retained his place in the Collingwood side after providing a glimpse of the silky skills which has defined the South Australian’s outings at VFL level.
Fellow 2012 draftee Ben Kennedy remains on the cusp of senior selection, but a 30-disposal effort against Sandringham in the VFL level was only sufficient for him to retain his place as an emergency, while first year player Jonathon Marsh makes his first appearance in the extended squad.
Hawthorn v Collingwood
Round 14
Saturday 21 June
MCG, 2.10pm
Collingwood
B: Marley Williams, Jack Frost, Alan Toovey
HB: Paul Seedsman, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba
C: Tim Broomhead, Brent Macaffer, Clinton Young
HF: Sam Dwyer, Jesse White, Luke Ball
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Jarryd Blair, Taylor Adams, Josh Thomas, Tom Langdon
Emg: Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy, Jonathon Marsh
IN: Dayne Beams
OUT: Brodie Grundy (omitted)
