BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Dayne Beams of the Lions kicks during the round four AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Richmond Tigers at The Gabba on April 16, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Essendon has squashed reports it has contacted star Lions midfielder Dayne Beams to facilitate a move south during the AFL's trade period.
The former Brisbane captain has been reported to be open to a return to Victoria after moving to Brisbane at the end of the 2014 season to tend to his ill father.
The Bombers have been linked to the in-form onballer but denied they have made an communications toward him.
“As we do every year, as a club, we will look to improve our list via the trade, free agency and draft periods,” Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said in a club-released statement.
“Dayne Beams is obviously a quality player and person, but he is not someone we are actively pursuing and we have not approached him or his management about returning to Melbourne.”