BEAMS I’VE BEE BLESSED

Tough times, but a blessing for Magpie

DAYNE Beams says the last few years of his life have been “a blessing” even though they have coincided with mental health issues, the death of his father and, seemingly, the end of his footy career.

Beams opened up on grief’s transformative powers at a footy function in the Victorian town of Shepparton.

While the 2010 Collingwood premiership player still has three years to run on his contract at the club, both player and club are realistic the 30year-old has likely played his last AFL match.

“As weird as it sounds, I consider the last few years of my life a blessing,” Beams said.

“I know that sounds really strange. I’ve had to deal with a fair bit of adversity, I’ve had a lot of life issues that have gone wrong for me.

“Grief has been a big part of the last few years. I just struggled to breathe and it was a really challenging two years.

“But I wouldn’t change my life for anyone’s, because I think the last two years have shown me is that I can get through anything, really.”

Beams said he was “on the right path” after stepping away from the rigours of AFL, with art therapy playing a major part in his rehabilitation.

“I’ve had a bit of time away from footy to obviously get my mental health in a better place and that’s obviously taken some time,” Beams said.

“I never thought I’d get into art, but I have and I love it. It’s great and awesome for my mental health. It’s given me a purpose outside football. I feel better for it.”

“Footy is just such a small part of your life. There’s so many life lessons; it’s just what you do to get through them.

“I feel I’m better equipped and I can deal with things a lot better now because I’ve faced them.”

Beams only played nine games in 2019 after battling mental health issues and physical injuries.

In December he extended his break from football, as he prioritised his mental health.

Beams has played 177 games since debuting in 2009.