[1] A talented junior footballer, he received a sports scholarship to attend Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in his teenage years[2] and worked as a groundskeeper for the Southport Sharks.

He would kick an early Grand Final goal for Southport as they claimed an 8-point victory over Morningside at Carrara Stadium.

In October 2008, Beams rejected a guaranteed three-year contract with the GC17 expansion team and instead opted to enter the 2008 AFL Draft.

A versatile midfielder who could defend and attack, Beams was a high possession winner who was balanced and composed when in close proximity to opponents.

Beams was linked to the new Queensland based club in 2009, but signed an extension to his Collingwood contract to the end of the 2012 season.

He made his AFL debut in round 2, when Dale Thomas was a late withdrawal from the team due to a virus.

[14] In 2015, he was the joint winner of the Merrett–Murray Medal as Brisbane's best and fairest, alongside Stefan Martin, Mitch Robinson and Dayne Zorko.

[18] Beams stepped down as the Brisbane captain, handing over to Dayne Zorko, in order to deal with the passing of his father, Phillip.

[23] In October 2010, Beams was involved in an allegation of sexual assault that occurred in the early hours of the morning after the 2010 AFL grand final replay.