THERE are many theories why Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams had such a breakout season in 2012.

He was nearing the right age, he had a strong pre-season before he hurt his shins, it was his natural progression, Luke Ball went down early, he had more opportunity in the middle.

But an increase in the 22-year-old's maturity away from the football world might have also had something to do with it.

When Beams was recruited in 2008 with selection No.29 in the NAB AFL Draft, he arrived at the Pies sporting tattoos to rival that of colourful teammate Dane Swan, who is six years his senior.

Over his first few years, he lacked consistency as a player.

Off the field, things came to a head in 2010 when he was embroiled in an incident with close friend, the late John McCarthy, after the Pies' victorious Grand Final win over St Kilda.

No charges were ever laid against the pair.

Now, as 2012 nears its end, Beams is a Copeland Trophy winner and considered an elite midfielder after making some lifestyle changes.

He has a steady partner, Kelly, who he has travelled to Bali with this off-season instead of going away with teammates.

And, he feels like he's a better person after calming down his former ways. 

"I think everyone as a young person has their downfalls but I think it's the character of the person if you learn from those mistakes," Beams said recently.

"I've tried to learn as best I can from the mistakes I've made and I've been able to learn off some great people at the footy club.

"At the end of the day, it's been pretty easy actually, trying to be the person I want to be and it's been something I've been happy with."

As the finals approached, Beams was rewarded for his consistent season with a three-year contract extension.

He was also approached by captain Nick Maxwell and asked if he'd like to take on a role in the leadership group, along with Jarryd Blair.

Having not considered himself worthy of that sort of responsibility before, Beams was initially taken aback.

But he's since embraced the role, and would even like to take ownership of something like that in seasons to come - and as early next year.

"It was a change for me. I never thought of that responsibility either," he said.

"I've always seen myself as just playing footy and not being that role model that people look up to, and I still don't see myself as that outside of the club.

"On the field, I do, but I'm not the greatest talker on the ground and I'm not the greatest talker out of the footy club.

"But it's something I enjoy and if the opportunity arises next year, it's something I'd consider."

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.