Collingwood’s Dayne Beams takes more indefinite leave from football to focus on his mental health
Collingwood and the AFL Players’ Association have rallied behind Dayne Beams as the star midfielder steps away from football indefinitely again to deal with his mental health.
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The AFL Players’ Association has thrown its support behind Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams, who announced on Friday he was taking an indefinite break from the game to deal with mental health issues.
Beams said he was seeking “a brighter future” as he put his AFL career on hold for the second time in six months.
AFLPA general manager of player development Ben Smith said the AFL industry was always trying to bolster support mechanisms for the rising number of players struggling to deal with the pressures of the game.
“Elite athletes aren’t immune to mental health issues, so it’s not a shock when AFL players reveal they are struggling,” Smith said.
“People like Dayne should be applauded for putting their health first and taking the necessary action.
“The industry continues to identify ways to bolster the support around its people to help them manage the pressures associatedwith the game.
“AFL players, both past and present, have access to the AFLPA’s national psychology network which is free and confidential.”
Collingwood has pledged to support 29-year-old Beams through his mental health battle. He has three more years to run on his contract with the club.
It is believed there is no time frame for his return.
The Herald Sun understands Beams had been considering a possible break for some time before the decision was finalised.
The 29-year-old said on Friday the decision to step away again was necessary.
“Trying to improve my quality of life and meet the demands of playing and training for football at the elite level continues to be a struggle,” Beams said.
“My health and football have come to feel like competing priorities, which is not a position that is helping or enabling me to meet my responsibilities.
“I have been trying to meet this challenge for a number of years but, with a series of debilitating recent injuries and my mental health a work in progress, I have reached a point where I know that stepping away from football is necessary.
“I want to thank all who have supported me and my family. I look forward to a brighter future.”
It is the second time Beams has stepped away from the game since rejoining the Magpies from Brisbane at the end of 2018.
In July, he described himself as “a broken man at the moment” in an emotional social media post after announcing he would take a break to deal with his mental health.
He also underwent hip and shoulder surgery this year and was admitted to hospital for a short stay in September after an adverse reaction to pain medication.
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Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson said the Magpies would continue to support Beams.
“Dayne has made a difficult and brave call that we support completely,” Anderson said.
“Collingwood will continue to support and assist Dayne, his wife Kelly and their children as Dayne works towards a return to full health.”
Magpie fans had been buoyed by Beams’ return to training last month.
He was back in a running program at the club after spending part of his off-season in Kokoda, where he completed a 96km trek over eight days.
Originally published as Collingwood’s Dayne Beams takes more indefinite leave from football to focus on his mental health