DAYNE Beams admits it's "tough to watch" his former Collingwood teammates struggle, but says he'll have no problems putting friendship aside to chase victory for the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
Beams played 110 games in six seasons with the Magpies before returning to his home state for the 2015 season and will play his second game against Collingwood at the Gabba.
Match preview: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood
The former Copeland Trophy winner played a straight bat when asked about his emotions heading into the game, saying the Magpies were "just another team".
However, when quizzed about the scrutiny his former club would be under with its 2-5 early season record, Beams opened up.
"It can be really difficult losing games of footy. The extra thing they get, that we probably don't, is the pressure and scrutiny around it," he said.
"I definitely know how they'd be feeling at the moment.
"It's different at the moment because they're opposition, so I can't get too caught up in that.
"I'm still friends with a lot of them, close with a lot of them, so I like to see them do well and they're not at the moment. It's tough to watch."
Beams played his first game since round 18 last year and amassed 30 disposals in a heavy loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.
He overcame off-season shoulder surgery and then a bout of knee tendinitis and said he was relishing the chance to add to the Magpies’ woes.
"I'm a Brisbane Lion now and I play for this club," Beams said.
"I played at Collingwood for six years and I've got memories there and they'll be memories I take with me for the rest of my life, but I'm looking to make new memories here.
"They're the opposition put in front of us this week so I'll be trying to do my best for the team and get over the line and beat them.
"They're probably in the same position as us form-wise, playing (well) in patches, then getting blown out a little bit.
"They're a proud club, I'm not sure they'd be happy with the position they're in at the moment, so (neither) are we. It's going to be a fierce contest because both teams really need a win."
Beams said the Lions' midfield – criticised by coach Justin Leppitsch following the loss to Port – had to step up and protect its young defence by winning more clearances and contested possessions.
They will likely have to do so without skipper Tom Rockliff who has had scans on his injured hamstring and is expected to miss a couple of weeks.
In a huge relief for the Lions, the injury does not relate to recent back or nerve problems the injury-plagued Rockliff has battled over the past two seasons.
