That Collingwood managed to accommodate Beams and still retain out-of-contract players Darcy Moore and Tom Langdon,along with Jamie Elliott,was a turn of events that seemed improbable during the season.

The long-term deal to Beams means the Magpies have the majority of their key players contracted for at least the next two years,with Jordan De Goey,like Moore,having signed a two-year extension.

During an eventful post-season,the Pies also re-contracted veterans such as defenders Lynden Dunn and Tyson Goldsack and tagger Levi Greenwood for 2019 only,while Travis Varcoe was able to exercise a trigger that gave him another season,too.

The Magpies achieved their objectives of acquiring Beams - who had told the Lions at the club best and fairest that he intended to stay - while drafting highly rated academy recruit Isaac Quaynor and father-son Will Kelly in the national draft.

Collingwood matched bids for Quaynor and Kelly from Greater Western Sydney and Adelaide respectively. Under the matching system,which clubs largely think generous to clubs with academy players or father-son recruits,Collingwood also avoided a points deficit that would impact on their draft position in 2019,although they had already sacrificed their 2019 first-round pick for Beams.