Dayne Beams’ decision to step down amid personal tragedy shows why he was right choice as captain

DAYNE Beams’ decision to step down as Brisbane captain as he battles with the death of his father illustrates why he was the right choice as captain in the first place — he’s developing a culture of selflessness pivotal to the resurgence of the club.

Dayne Beams stepped down as Brisbane captain on Wednesday as he continues to deal with the death of his father. Picture: Getty

WHEN Dayne Beams stepped away from the captaincy of the Brisbane Lions this week, he proved with one momentous act why he was the right choice for the job in the first place.

How many captains in history have voluntarily stood down mid-season, at the absolute peak of their powers, and without a whiff of scandal?

Some captains hang on, white-knuckled to the title when it is obvious they aren’t the right fit for the job, or the job is not what’s best for them and their own form.

LEADERSHIP: BEAMS STEPS DOWN AS BRISBANE CAPTAIN

Beams was selfless enough to say he wasn’t doing the job justice and had the courage to admit it wasn’t the best for him and his family at this point in time.

He had never coveted the position, but as he saw the club’s culture sinking during the tough years under Justin Leppitsch and Tom Rockliff, he discreetly made it known to senior officials that if they wanted change, he would put his name forward on the player ballot.

Dayne Beams stepped down as Brisbane captain on Wednesday as he continues to deal with the death of his father. Picture: Phil Hillyard

That was it, he didn’t canvass or campaign — just put it out there and let his teammates decide.

My optimism for the Lions in the future is high and I hope in a few years’ time we will look back on the second significant turning point in the club’s history and identify Beams’ elevation as captain, alongside the appointment of Chris Fagan as coach and David Noble as football manager, as the key drivers.

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Much has been said and written about the healing Fagan has brought to the club and the astute decisions Noble makes, but Beams’ contribution is often overlooked.

He taught me a lesson to never judge a book by its cover.

Beams and rising star Alex Witherden celebrate the win over Hawthorn on Sunday. Picture: Getty

I saw a guy covered in tatts, which I must admit I have no problem with, but he looked like a guy with immense talent who may not have offered much to the cultural evolution that was needed at the Lions.

Spend any time with the players and you can see how wrong I was.

Brisbane had a tendency to be surly and sulky. Now they are polite, unified and determined to work hard towards a future they all believe in.

Having the honesty to create a theme of “selflessness” implies the players are invested enough to have the type of self-reflection that identified selfishness was creeping in to the way they play.

Leaders like Beams drive that sort of player buy-in.

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