Dayne Beams to make football comeback in MPNFL

Dayne Beams will go head-to-head with Paddy Ryder in his MPNFL debut. Here’s how the former Collingwood star has been preparing.

Dayne Beams of the Magpies. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Dayne Beams has never played local football.

In fact, he hasn’t played footy at any level since his last AFL game with Collingwood in 2019.

But that’s all about to change after Beams signed on Wednesday with Pearcedale in Division 2 of the Mornington Peninsula league.

He will play alongside his former Brisbane Lions teammate Ryan Bastinac at the Dales.

The pair has been training together.

Ryan’s dad Peter coaches Pearcedale and says “Beama’’ was jumping out of his skin to pull on the boots again.

“He’ll play every game,’’ Bastinac said.

“He wants to get back into it. Obviously the connection with Ryan certainly helped things.’’

Pearcedale coach Peter Bastinac with Dayne Beams. Picture: Facebook

Dayne Beams as a Magpie.

Bastinac said Beams, who played 177 AFL games, played in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership and captained Brisbane, knew “nothing’’ about local football.

“It’s all new to him,’’ he said.

“He’s never played local.

“He hasn’t played since the AFL.’’

So, will he be rusty?

“He had a kick with Ryan the other day and, yeah, Ryan said he’s not rusty,’’ Bastinac said.

“He’s looking pretty good. He said he’s been training really hard.’’

Bastinac said Pearcedale had been talking to Beams “for a while’’ before he agreed to sign.

“He was in no rush,’' he said.

“He likes the idea that we’re a young, up and coming team and he works really well with youngsters. He sees that there’s some purpose around him playing at Pearcedale.’’

In a promotor’s dream, Beams will go up against Paddy Ryder and Dean Kent, who are playing with Devon Meadows, in the opening round of the season on Saturday, April 1.

The match will be at Devon Meadows.

There will be huge interest in MPNFL Division 2 this year, with fellow ex-AFL men Jack Lonie (Seaford) and Billy Hartung (Rye) also running around.