Dayne Beams has stood down as captain of the Brisbane Lions, citing a "bloody difficult" personal life following the death of his father earlier this year.
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The 28-year-old has relinquished the reins to Dayne Zorko as he prepares to welcome a son to his family, hoping it will relieve pressure.
"I feel like it's in the best interests for myself and my family that I hand over the captaincy to Dayne Zorko indefinitely," he said on Wednesday.
"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."
Beams moved home to Queensland at the end of the 2014 AFL season from Collingwood to be closer to his father, Philip, who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
He died in March, just as the Lions were gearing up for the season.
"Footy's been hard for me because I associated football with my father," he said.
"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."
Beams' younger brother Claye is also on the Lions' list, but hasn't played for the senior side this season.
Beams will continue to play for the Lions, who earned a first win of the season last Sunday by upsetting Hawthorn at the Gabba.
However, he will hand the captaincy over to another Dayne, midfielder Zorko, who becomes the 11th skipper of the merged club.
Harris Andrews becomes vice-captain.
Beams has left the door open to return to the leadership position.
"I've got a son that's due to be born in five weeks' time and I need to be in a good headspace for my family when he does arrive," he said.
The 2010 premiership-winner with the Magpies encouraged his colleagues with mental health issues to seek professional help.
""I've been getting help over the last two months ... it's okay to speak out and talk," he said.
"Males in particular, footballers, we can get caught up in our own egos and not want to share any of our thoughts and our feelings.
"The thing that's helped me the most is being able to sit in front of someone and talk about it. It makes me feel so much better.
"I'd like to encourage anyone feeling sadness or depression to reach out, seek help."
Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Australian Associated Press
