Jonathon Beech says he finally feels he’s back to peak fitness after an injury-interrupted start to the year.

Beech, 26, got his first taste of AFL action in Adelaide’s opening JLT Community Series clash with Richmond in February. Cruelly, the hard-working utility suffered a calf injury in the opening minutes of the match and was sidelined for the remainder of the pre-season competition.

The 26-year-old has gradually built his way back into form in recent weeks and was influential in Adelaide’s 36-point victory over his former SANFL side West Adelaide.

Promoted onto the Club’s senior list last month, Beech said he’s focused on doing everything he can to put his name back in front of AFL selectors.

“My form’s been a lot better the last three or four weeks,” Beech said.

“I’ve been working back up after that calf injury in the JLT Series - that slowed me up a bit. But I feel back to full fitness now and I’m just trying to keep playing consistent footy and hopefully an opportunity opens up for me.

“The coaches want me to keep performing consistently and use my contested marking, so that’s what I’m focusing on at the moment.

“Fingers crossed an opportunity comes up and I can do enough to put my name up.”

The West Adelaide premiership player has tormented his former teammates since crossing to the Crows.

Beech has kicked nine goals across three meetings with West Adelaide and is yet to taste defeat against his former side.

“I enjoy playing against my old teammates,” he said.

“We have a bit of fun out there and there’s a bit of joking around, but I treat it exactly like any other game. It’s come off for me the last couple of times I’ve played here!”

Last year’s Crows State League Club Champion took a huge hanger in the third term of Saturday’s clash at City Mazda Stadium as part of his eye-catching 23-possession performance, which also included a game-high 12 marks along with two goals.

“I saw the ball come in and my eyes lit up a bit,” Beech said of the grab.

“There was a bit of a pack there so I went for it. I was lucky it came off because I dropped one last week!

“It was nice to hold onto that one.”


The SANFL Crows now sit in sixth spot on the SANFL ladder after six rounds only mere percentage outside the top five.

The return of Crows SANFL co-captain Alex Keath and defender Kyle Cheney added much-needed experience to Adelaide’s state league side on Saturday, and Beech said the win would only help build confidence among the group.

“It was handy to have a couple of boys come back into the team today,” he said.

“Keathy was good, Cheney is a leader for us and ‘JJ’ (Josh Jenkins) kicked four goals. Having those boys back gave us a real boost.

“We’re already looking forward to next week against North Adelaide and hopefully we can continue to be competitive.”