A calculated gamble paid off for Queensland midfielder Dayne Beams when he was snapped up by Collingwood in the AFL National Draft.

The 18-year-old flew out to Melbourne on Sunday still pinching himself after becoming the first Queenslander ever drafted by Collingwood when taken at No.29.

It was a huge relief for the Southport teenager who knocked back a guaranteed three-year deal with the fledgling Gold Coast AFL team to take his chances in the draft.

Beams could not wait until the Gold Coast's 2011 AFL debut so put his hand up for a possible 2009 start - and couldn't believe who answered.

A congratulatory call from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire after the draft on Saturday hardly helped the news sink in for the youngster.

"I'm just so relieved and so excited. It's a dream come true, exactly what I was hoping for," Beams said.

"I can say it now - I really wanted to go to Collingwood. "I got to know them all pretty well before the draft and they're a fantastic group of people and the facilities at Collingwood are sensational." It capped a dream year for Beams who captained Queensland at the national under 18 championship where he impressed, averaging 24 disposals including a game-high 34 touches against the Northern Territory.

He was also a member of Southport's AFL Queensland State League premiership side.

Meanwhile, fellow Queenslander Rohan Bail, 20, went to Melbourne at No.64.

The Brisbane wingman/half forward said he heard his name being called on-line but wanted to see it in writing "just to make sure it was real" after being overlooked in the draft the last two years.

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