Collingwood has officially parted ways with Dayne Beams after reaching a settlement on the final two years of the AFL premiership winner’s contract.
Key points:
- Beams last played for the Magpies during the 2019 AFL season
- He took a break from the game late last year to deal with mental health issues
- Beams was a member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership-winning squad
Beams’s departure is one of three changes to the Magpies’ playing list ahead of December’s national draft, with Rupert Wills and Flynn Appleby delisted.
Beams, 30, had not played for the Magpies since round 11 in the 2019 season.
He took an indefinite break from the game late last year to deal with mental health issues and sat out the entire 2020 season before announcing his retirement last month.
Collingwood confirmed this afternoon an agreement had been reached on the remainder of Beams’s contract.
“Some time ago it became apparent to me that the demands of the game, which for many years I thrived on, were not helping my recovery,” Beams said in a Magpies statement.
“Once I understood this it was easier to put my wellbeing and that of my family first.
“I am a father to two lovely children and a husband to Kelly, who I owe so much to.
Beams played for the Magpies between 2009 and 2014 before spending four seasons with the Brisbane Lions, including two as captain.
He returned to Collingwood via a trade at the end of 2018.
The midfielder managed just nine appearances in his second stint with the Magpies as he struggled to cope with the death of his father Phillip in 2018.
“I have many teammates and staff at Collingwood to thank for helping me through a particularly tough time,” Beams said.
“The club’s understanding, patience and care were always there and the fact we were able to come to a mutual agreement is important to me.
“Many at Brisbane also shared and supported me through my journey. I thank the Lions.”
Beams, a star in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership season, finished with 177 AFL matches, best-and-fairest awards at both the Magpies and Lions, and an All-Australian selection (2012) to his name.
“His days of playing for Collingwood are over but his connection to the club is not,” Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said.
“He is written into the pages of the club’s history as a premiership player and Copeland Trophy winner.
“We wish him and his family the very best for a healthy and happy next phase of their lives.”
Beams has used art as an outlet to deal with mental health issues during his time away from the AFL.
He set up a website — Health of Mind Art — with a portion of the profits from his abstract painting directed to a mental health charity.
AAP/ABC
