SANFL 2016: Jonathon Beech ready to face old West Adelaide team-mates once again in Berri
ADELAIDE high flyer Jonathon Beech admits it was weird facing West Adelaide in the opening round of the SANFL this season.
ADELAIDE high flyer Jonathon Beech admits it was weird facing West Adelaide in the opening round of the SANFL this season.
That comes as no surprise, his previous game was a grand final triumph playing for the Bloods just six months earlier.
It has been 21 weeks since Beech nailed three goals and had a significant influence in the Crows’ powerful 74-point triumph in Richmond despite the weird feeling, but he should be more at home when he fronts the Bloods Sunday.
The clash will be in Berri, just 15km from Barmera where he was plucked by the Bloods as a teenager.
“There was a bit of friendly banter when we played in the first round,’’ Beech said. “I catch up quite often with the Westies boys.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to the Riverland, I’ve got family up there as well as close mates and they are all going to the game.’’
Beech was lured to Adelaide to play in the Bloods under age teams, only to be elevated to the senior ranks in his debut season in 2008 while studying year 12 at Henley High School. He will return to the Riverland as an AFL-listed player, having been elevated from the Crows’ rookie list on Thursday.
While the Crows are on the verge of their first finals appearance in the state league, the Bloods have gone from premier to wooden spooner after a nightmare season. The loss of Beech is among the key factors.
“It is hard to see how they are going,’’ Beech said. “They have been undermanned and it has been a challenging year for them.
“But I’ve enjoyed the professional environment at the Crows and committing fully to footy, learning from the AFL boys.’’
There are four players in the Bloods line-up going “home” this weekend. Forward Aaron Fielke, Mason Middleton, Jack Agostino and Josh Schiller started their careers in the Riverland.
It has been 12 years since Fielke played a game in the Riverland, having moved to Adelaide as a 15-year old to play in the Bloods under age teams.
“It has been amazing at West and the club is a second family for me,’’ Fielke said. “This year has been ordinary but that is footy.
“We would love to still have Beechy at West but we are rapt to see him get the chance with an AFL club. He should have got that chance before.’’