Brisbane Lions star Dayne Beams has stepped down as captain of the club, with Dayne Zorko filling into the role.
“I’ve reached the decision today, I feel like it’s in the best interests for myself and my family that I hand over the captaincy to Dayne Zorko indefinitely," Beams said in a statement to the club.
“Obviously the last three months for myself, I’m not going to lie, they’ve been bloody difficult, and I’ve experienced some really bad lows.
“I think footy’s been hard for me because I associated football with my father. So it feels like a big chunk of my football life is missing at the moment.
"So, I just feel like I need some time to find where I belong in the game. And just find my feet again and find my love for the game again.
“I still love coming into the footy club."
Lions footy boss David Noble was supportive of Beams’ decision.
“Dayne brought this to us recently to discuss his leadership role,” he said.
“He has had a lot on his plate personally the past six months, and with the energy required to support Kelly with the upcoming birth of their second child, we believe it was the right move for him.
“We are confident that the leadership group that supported Dayne are more than capable to lead this club and want to congratulate Dayne Zorko and Harris Andrews on their new roles as captain and vice-captain of the Lions.
“It is moments like these we are fortunate to have a leader like of Luke Hodge with our club, and along with our leadership group, he can offer support to Zorko and Harris where appropriate.”
Former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder Nick Dal Santo believes Beams’ decision “puts things in perspective.”
“Football is just a game,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“There is always something going on (in the leadership group) and you’re constantly trying to get a temperature check of the group.
“I think sometimes stepping out of the leadership group like Dayne has, can just give you a bit of extra time to take your breathe, get your feet back under the desk and go again.”