Forthright Brisbane Lions Senior Coach Chris Fagan says he has mixed emotions following the departure of Dayne Beams during
Speaking for the first time since Beams was dealt back to Collingwood in October, Fagan said the Lions had already moved on from losing their star midfielder.
"I have two emotions," Fagan said.
"Happiness and disappointment."
Flanked by star recruit Lachie Neale at the announcement of new co-major sponsor SOOW, Fagan said he understood the predicament Beams faced.
"As we know he's had some battles with mental health and he struggled with that and he honestly felt moving back to Melbourne, back to his old club, would help him get better, so from that point of view I hope that happens and I'm happy for him if it does," he said.
"I'm happy for us that we were able to get two first-round draft picks for Dayne, it's a pretty good return for a guy who's 29.
"The disappointing bit I guess is for all of us at the club, we all know internally how much we supported Dayne and
"Deep down you hope that genuine investment would be returned in terms of loyalty but I understand the situation Dayne was in.
"He was probably weighing up what's best, my loyalty to the Lions or my mental health and wellbeing for my family, and he naturally chose that and so he's moved back to Melbourne.
"I think I speak on behalf of everybody at the Cub on those two emotions.
"I hope that's the last time I have to answer a question about it because he's no longer one of our players."
By adding Neale and Jarryd Lyons in the space of a month, the Lions are in a great position to cover the loss of Beams.
"You look at (Jarrod) Berry and Hugh McCluggage and (Brandon) Starcevich and (Zac) Bailey and Cam Rayner, we're going to expect improvement out of them," he said.
"We've added Lachie and Jarryd Lyons … I think we've got that well and truly covered.
"I was at Hawthorn when Lance Franklin left and everyone thought the world was going to end … Hawthorn won the next two flags.
"It's a team game and it's how well we work together that will decide our level of performance next year and how far we go."
