Dayne Beams’ one-word response said plenty.
The 2010 Collingwood premiership player and 2012 club best and fairest was asked on Friday which team was closer to their next AFL premiership window – the Magpies or his new home, Brisbane.
In his first media conference as a Lions player, Beams could have dead-batted the question away.
But he simply answered “Brisbane”.
Apart from adding even more spice to his massive trade, Beams’ candid assessment also put a fresh focus on two of next season’s more intriguing teams.
A year ago, the Lions were in freefall after the sacking of coach Michael Voss and the loss of five players because of the “go-home” factor.
They finished this season strongly under new coach Justin Leppitsch, while Beams and Geelong’s Allen Christensen will boost a talented young list.
“I have no doubt with the list we have, we can play finals in 2015,” Beams said.
Injury problems ultimately cost Collingwood a finals berth this season and only nine members of their 2010 premiership team are still at the club.
Apart from losing Beams, veteran onballer Luke Ball has also retired and Heritier Lumumba has gone to Melbourne.
But Collingwood also beefed up their list during the trade period by recruiting Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe and Jack Crisp.
And coach Nathan Buckley is bullish that they can return to power sooner than people expect.
Two days ago, Buckley used the analogy of stopping the bus to let people off when talking about players who no longer wanted to be at Collingwood.
“I guess I’m off the bus now,” Beams said.
But Beams also said Magpies president Eddie McGuire and Buckley were understanding about why he wanted to leave.
He revealed he also spoke to Buckley before making the controversial decision to miss the club’s best and fairest function.
Beams is adamant that family – in particular his father Phillip’s serious health problems – was the only reason he sought a trade to Brisbane.
He said Phillip was making good progress.
“My old man is a fighter – he’s not dying,” Beams said.
The move to the Lions also means Beams will play alongside his younger brother Claye for the first time.
“For me, it’s a dream come true – my brother is my best mate,” he said.
Beams is equally upbeat about round one, with the AFL scheduling the Lions to host Collingwood at the ‘Gabba.
“It will be interesting … I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I love those sorts of challenges, it fires me up and I’m sure they’ll come out fired up as well.
“Hopefully they pack the Gabba out.”
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Yawn. Players either say they can play finals, or make top 4. All teams are hopeful of it. Over half of them are wrong every year.
Kavvy
Roar Rookie
With Beams and Christensen thrown in with Rockliff and Hanley and the emerging players like Aish and Taylor, as well as the return from injury of Leunberger and Rich I think a lot of pundits are predicting a bright future for the Lions over the next couple of years. Collingwood will be a very young side next year now that Maxwell, Ball, Lumumba and ,although he is young himself, Beams are gone. They'll obviously need time to rebuild. Pendlebury and Cloke are only 26-27 and there are guys coming through so there window could re-open in 2-3 years. Brisbane would be a better chance for finals than Collingwood in 2015 for sure but that doesn't mean the pies are out of it for the next 5+ years or anything particularly with their resources. The obvious other point is that of course Beams is going to say "Brisbane" to that question, any other answer would be weird.
Gecko
Guest
If Brisbane and Port can rise from hopeless to hopeful in just 12 months, there's still hope for the 'Pies. We'll know by April 2015, after seeing the players' attitudes, whether we need a new bus driver.
Beams has spoken
Guest
Although Beams' largely predictable response does not count for a lot, no doubt many other players who have dumped Collingwood or been forced out to other clubs, are also glad to be off the bus on its way to nowhere.