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Brisbane set for early crack at Collingwood's Dayne Beams

Brisbane are “increasingly likely” to get an early crack at former teammate Dayne Beams in 2019 following his trade to Collingwood.

Beams ended his four-year stay in the Queensland capital when a move back to the Magpies, with whom he won a premiership in 2010, was finalised on Wednesday.

While the Lions played hard ball at the trade table, the 28-year-old left on good terms after a tumultuous time in his personal life.

Beams originally moved up to Brisbane to be close to his ill father, who passed away in March, and had two years remaining on his contract with the club.

“I was honest as I could be with (the Lions) … I let them know that in two years’ time that I wouldn’t sign another contract and I would be coming back to Melbourne,” he told Channel Nine.

“I wanted this to work for both parties but my preference was to get back to Melbourne as soon as possible.”

Beams, however, could be made to make a trip up to Brisbane in round five next year.

Dayne Beams has put away his Lions gear and will pull on a Collingwood guernsey in 2019. Pic: Getty
Dayne Beams has put away his Lions gear and will pull on a Collingwood guernsey in 2019. Pic: Getty

“The AFL loves these rivalry-type games involving departing stars – it looks like this one will happen,” 7 News Melbourne chief football reporter Mark Stevens said.

“The Lions have been lobbying the AFL for a game at the Gabba on Good Friday eve for some time. They want to play Collingwood.

“The official fixture is still a few weeks away – it’s not quite locked in – but sources today say it’s increasingly likely this game will get the green light.”

While the Beams factor plays its part, the Lions’ request to play the grand finalists before a public holiday and long weekend is likely to be a prudent financial move.

Collingwood games have drawn three of Brisbane’s five best crowd figures since the start of the 2015 season, with 31,240, 24,552 and 21,850 attending the games.

Beams farewelled Brisbane and marked his return to the Pies with touching Instagram posts on Thursday.

“To every single Lions fan that has supported me along the way I want to say thank you,” he wrote.

“I don’t expect everyone to understand this decision as we are in an opinion-based industry and world but I do expect you to understand that I genuinely love this playing group and I gave everything to it and I think they are going places.”

View this post on Instagram

To every single Lions fan that has supported me along the way I want to say thank you . I don't expect everyone to understand this decision as we are in an opinion based industry and world but I do expect you to understand that I genuinely love this playing group and I gave everything to it and I think they are going places it's just won't be with me there . The last 4 years have been the best years of my life , I've gotten to marry the best women in this world , I've had 2 beautiful children I've been able to spend the most enjoyable times with dad and I've made some life long friends . Over the past year I have experienced the worst time of my life witnessing my best friend pass away in front of me , my dads best trait was to always put his family first and I will continue to live that trait and that's exactly what I have done . If I have learnt anything over the past 12 months is that life is unpredictable and you never know what may happen. I just want everyone who has anything to do with the Brisbane Lions know that the support you have shown me this year and the love you have shown me won't be forgotten . There is more to life then this game and I feel like the time is right for me and my little family to return to my family back in Victoria and get the right help moving forward . You will always hold a special place within me . The club is in the right hands and I've got no doubt success isn't far away . I will be watching with great interest next year and I hope you go well boys . I love you lots and thank you for everything . ❤️

A post shared by Dayne (@beama_9) on Oct 17, 2018 at 8:06pm PDT

with AAP