Introduction Claye Beams is a talented all-round sportsperson who played first grade cricket before focussing on an AFL career. He is a half-back/midfielder with good decision-making ability and clean skills who was promptly elevated to the Lions' senior list after impressing as a rookie. Background • Beams was born in Melbourne but moved to the Gold Coast with his family at the age of two. • He began playing football from the age of five at Mudgeeraba and went on to win the Gold Coast League U12 Best & Fairest Medal and represent the Gold Coast at U14 level and the South Coast U15s. • He played the first six games of the U16 season in 2007 but gave football away to concentrate on cricket. • He returned to football in May 2009 after watching his brother Dayne play for Collingwood reignited his passion for the sport. • Beams decided to join Labrador - due to a family connection - and after a three-week training block and just four reserves matches, he was elevated to the seniors where he played six games.  • He obviously caught the eye of the Lions recruiters because he was drafted to the Club with its Queensland Priority Selection (Pick No.76 overall) in the 2009 AFL Rookie Draft.
2010 • Beams was a standout for the Lions Reserves side during his first season on the Club's rookie list playing predominantly across half-forward and on the wing. • His run and creativity was not missed by the AFLQ selectors who added him to the Queensland State team that played Tasmania at Southport mid-season. • Despite being the youngest player on the field, Beams' performance in his Queensland's 79-point thrashing of Tasmania earned praise from State coach Jason Cotter. • He continued his great form into the second half of the QAFL season and was close to being elevated for his senior debut late in the year as the Lions struggled on the field, but the opportunity never arose. • At season's end, he was recognised for his efforts in the local competition by winning a spot on the half-forward flank in the QAFL Team of the Year. • During the off-season, Beams was selected among a host of young Lions players to face Melbourne in the 'Shanghai Showdown' Exhibition Match - the first AFL game ever played in China. He did his chances of elevation no harm by starring with three goals in the team's narrow loss. • The Lions took little time in adding Beams to the Club's senior list - making his elevation official at the 2010 National Draft. 2011 • Beams received a late call-up to make his senior debut in Round 1 after Luke Power withdrew late from the Lions' side with a minor back injury suffered after lifting his newborn baby out of the bath. • Beams made the most of his opportunity by booting two goals and collecting 13 disposals in an impressive first half against Fremantle at the Gabba. But a heavy knock to the ribs saw him subbed off just after half-time, effectively cutting short his debut AFL appearance. • He maintained his position in the senior team in five of the Club's first six matches and was regularly used as an impact player off the bench. • But his season was ended prematurely after Round 7 when a stress reaction in his foot flared up and forced him to sit out the remainder of the year. • Despite playing just five senior AFL matches, Beams' efforts were rewarded at the annual QAFL Grogan Medal count with selection in Queensland's Team of the Year for the first time alongside brother Dayne from Collingwood.
The Brisbane Lions will include three young midfielders in an attempt to improve their speed in the lead-up to their clash with EssendonFriday, May 13, 2011 - 2:18PM
Lions rookie Claye Beams earned glowing praise for his State open debut for Queensland in the interstate game against Tasmania at the Gold Coast on Saturday.Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 8:53AM
Lions rookie Claye Beams is poised to make his Queensland debut against Tasmania at Southport on Saturday.Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 8:34AM
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