Beams, dropped to VFL level shortly before the season commenced, was unable to force his way back into the senior side after his teammates kept performing.
But after earning a recall as a late replacement for an ill Shane O'Bree against Melbourne on Saturday, the 20-year-old could not have responded better.
He gathered 27 disposals and booted a goal as Mick Malthouse's team pinched a thrilling encounter by a point at the MCG.
And Beams, whose one-match demotion turned into a two- or three-week relegation thanks to his teammates' good form, was delighted to be back in the thick of it.
"It is hard, it's hard watching any game," he said of his stint out of the senior side.
"We've got such a good list at the moment and it's hard to crack a spot.
"I had to earn my spot back and I was able to do that and hopefully I contributed to our win.
"I know I stuffed up, I copped my whack and hopefully I can move on from there."
Beams' "stuff-up" was that he was simply out late. As his coach had said ahead of the round two clash with Melbourne, the rugged onballer had done "nothing wrong, as far as society goes".
"I just didn't follow one of the team values and I served my punishment for it," Beams said.
Not playing at the intensity of senior level for a few weeks - combined with Saturday's warm conditions - may have been his undoing in the final minutes of the Demons clash.
Beams spent those minutes on the interchange bench after suffering from cramp, something which was a new experience for him.
While being restricted to the bench was frustrating it did give him one advantage.
He was among the Pies camp keeping a close eye on the time-clock as the Demons pushed for victory in the gripping final seconds.
"It was pretty nerve-racking just when that last ball went in there on the line and you've got three seconds left," he said.
"So all our hearts were in our mouths a little bit, but it was good [in the end].
"They took it up to us and we fought it out and got the four points, so we're pretty happy with that."
