AFL clubs should take a plunge on Jono Beech, says Bloods coach Mark Mickan

WEST Adelaide coach Mark Mickan is better placed to judge AFL talent than most and he’s convinced the industry has, to date, missed a player who could make the grade - Jon Beech.

WEST Adelaide coach Mark Mickan is better placed to judge AFL talent than most and he’s convinced the industry has, to date, missed a player who could make the grade - Jon Beech.

Mickan — a former Port Adelaide and Adelaide assistant, and a star player for the Crows and Brisbane — says Bloods untility Beech has the ability to play in the AFL — he just needs an opportunity.

“I’m convinced he’s one they’ve missed,’’ Mickan said of 24-year-old Beech, following his four-goal performance against Glenelg on Saturday.

“He went close (to being drafted) this year and nothing would give us greater pleasure than to see him play AFL footy because I think he’d be a winner at that level.

“But we’re very happy to have him here at West Adelaide.”

Beech trained with Adelaide over summer and impressed only to be passed over because the dominoes didn’t fall his way on draft day.

“The one sad part and downside (of Adelaide’s draft) is that you can’t pick everyone and I just feel for Jono Beech because he is such a great lad and he deserves a chance,’’ Adelaide recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said following the National Draft.

“Unfortunately we didn’t have any more picks and we couldn’t give him that chance and I had to ring him and explain - ‘Jono you haven’t done anything wrong but it hasn’t worked out again for you’.

“That was a bit gutting for him but to his credit the first thing he said was — I’ll just back up.”

Beech has delivered on his pledge, kicking 21 goals and playing a range of roles are Richmond, where his overhead marking and workrate remain features of his game.

Meantime, Norwood is confident Peter Persinos will shake a corky just above his knee before its next match.

The Redlegs have this weekend off before travelling to Noarlunga to face South, where James Allan is also expected to return, as he makes good progress in overcoming a back problem.

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