Beams a Lion after bumper five-club deal
Brisbane have finally recruited Collingwood star Dayne Beams in an AFL trade that was the result of three weeks of haggling involving five clubs.
Beams requested a move to the Lions in grand final week, wanting to be closer to brother Claye and their ill father.
The 24-year-old’s wish was officially granted on Wednesday, with the Magpies receiving Jack Crisp along with picks No.5 and 25 as compensation.
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“Dayne is one of the competition’s premier midfielders. He is an elite player and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Lions family,” Lions recruiting chief Peter Schwab said.
Collingwood then signed North Melbourne midfielder Levi Greenwood by on-trading the second-round selection, as a flurry of paperwork was lodged at league headquarters.
It means the Magpies added Crisp, Greenwood and pick No.5 in exchange for pick No.67 and their 2012 best-and-fairest winner.
A three-way deal involving Collingwood’s Heritier Lumumba, Melbourne ruck-forward Mitch Clark and Geelong speedster Travis Varcoe was also rubber stamped at the same time.
Collingwood wanted both trades to be ticked off at the same time.
Lumumba is now a Demon, while the Cats shipped Varcoe off to Collingwood.
“With Dayne and Heritier leaving, our objective was to make sure the team remained in a position to play finals in 2015 while continuing to build a critical mass of elite talent,” Collingwood list manager Derek Hine said.
“I think we have achieved that.”
Clark, who retired in April due to depression, will attempt to reignite his AFL career at Geelong.
Geelong football manager Neil Balme thanked Varcoe for his service, including three grand finals and 138 games, and welcomed Clark to the club.
“Throughout his career Mitch has proved he is a valuable and respected member of the Lions and Melbourne, and we are looking forward to what he will bring to our team,” Balme said.
Meanwhile, the Cats have also recruited St Kilda forward Rhys Stanley.
The Cats added Stanley and pick No.60 in exchange for pick No.21.