No.1 draft pick Cameron Rayner must earn Round 1 selection, says Lions captain Dayne Beams

BRISBANE captain Dayne Beams has warned Cameron Rayner won’t be handed a spot in Brisbane’s Round 1 team because he’s the No.1 draft pick with plenty of competition coming from the Lions’ other draftees.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Cameron Rayner of the Lions poses during a media opportunity at Hickson Road Reserve on November 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Media/Getty Images)

BRISBANE Lions captain Dayne Beams has warned No.1 draft pick Cameron Rayner will get no favours in the run to Round 1.

If anything, Rayner, 18, could be under siege, with prized Lion cubs Zac Bailey (pick No.15) Brandon Starcevich (pick No.18) in eye-catching pre-season touch.

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“The No.1 pick is just a number,” Beams said.

“They’re on a level playing field once they get into the system.

“He’s got some good competition in Zac and Brandon for that midfield forward area so it’s going to be good watch them compete.”

Beams signalled the Lions might only be able to fit one or two of the talented trio with the speedster Charlie Cameron, forgotten forward Allen Christensen and Mitch Robinson set to lock down midfield-forward roles.

Cameron Rayner will have to earn a spot in Brisbane’s Round 1 team. Picture: Getty Images

But the second-year captain is bullish about the club’s first-to-fourth-year players making the grade.

“They can do some things that are really exciting and it gives you great hope,” Beams said.

“It only takes a thing or two, you don’t expect much from those kids at this stage of the year... just show glimpses that they’re going to be able to make it at the level.”

Lions recruiters have nailed the past three drafts, with Eric Hipwood, Rhys Mathieson, Hugh McCluggage, Alex Witherden, Ben Keays and Jarrod Berry already showing considerable promise.

Only Victorian Josh Schache, pick no.2 in the 2015 national draft, slipped out of the den, following bouts of homesickness.

But explosive forward-midfielder Rayner could be the pick of the litter, having drawn comparisons, at the same age, with Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin and Melbourne whiz kid Christian Petracca.

Dayne Beams (left), with younger brother Claye Beams, has been on a modified program following post-season shoulder surgery. Picture: Michael Willson

And Beams dismissed concerns around the Western Jets product’s fitness base.

“He’ll probably play more as a forward this year... his tank will just evolve and he’ll get better with more preseasons,” Beams said.

“18 year-old kids can get into lazy habits (playing juniors) because they’re the best in their team.

“With Cam, I don’t think they were too concerned about it (fitness), once they get into the AFL and change their diet, they’re in full-time training, fitness bases turn around pretty quickly.

“Particularly the younger guys because... they haven’t been pushed properly, they don’t know their pain barrier and how far they can actually push themselves.

“It develops with time, you don’t want to rush it, you don’t want to flog them too early because that will just break them down, I think he’ll be no dramas with a few more preseasons.”