The Western Magpies are pleased to welcome former Brisbane Lion, Claye Beams to McCarthy Homes Oval for the 2019 QAFL Season.

Beams was first rookie listed by the Lions in the 2009 Rookie Draft and went on to play 54 Senior AFL Games, winning a Rising Star nomination in Round 1, 2012 for a 25 disposal and 5 tackle effort against Melbourne. Beams joined the Lions in the same draft as good friend and current Magpie player Ryan Harwood. Both players live locally to the club and have existing connections.

A talented junior sportsman, Beams played several years of First Grade Cricket on the Gold Coast before returning to footy, only to be drafted off the back of just half a season in the 2009 QAFL Competition. Despite playing 54 Senior Games, Claye is also a multiple NEAFL Premiership player for the Lions Reserves and won the Joe Grant Medal for Best on Ground in the 2012 NEAFL Premiership, while he captained the 2017 NEAFL Premiership side.

Beams will fit nicely into an improving Magpie outfit who were unlucky not to play finals in 2018 after having the 2nd best defensive record in the competition as well as the 2nd best offense. An inability to close out close games proved costly in the end, and with the addition of another experienced player with big game experiences, the Magpies will be looking to overcome the demons of 2017 and 2018 where they went 1 from 11 in games decided by 15 points or less to finish 6th in both seasons.

An interview and further story still to come.