It was a bittersweet return to Richmond Oval for new Crows rookie Jonathon Beech on Saturday afternoon.
Barely six months after playing in West Adelaide’s premiership triumph last September, Beech played a starring role in Adelaide’s crushing 74-point Round One win over the Bloods at City Mazda Stadium.
The 25-year-old amassed 25 possessions and 10 marks against his former club in an outstanding debut performance in Crows colours. Beech began the match on a wing and pushed forward regularly, slotting three goals and notching five inside 50ms.
Beech admitted he felt conflicting emotions while readying himself in the unfamiliar away change rooms, and things only got tougher when the home side unfurled its 2015 premiership flag pre-match.
“It was obviously a bit weird, especially just before the game I was starting to get a bit nervous,” Beech said.
“There was a bit of friendly banter on the field when I was having my shots at goal and when I got tackled a couple of times. There were a few words exchanged.
“But it’s all a bit of fun. I enjoyed that challenge.
“It was good to get the Crows guernsey on for the first time, go out and have a win and be a good contributor.”
Rather than the expected barrage of boos from the grandstands, the West Adelaide faithful were silent whenever Beech had the ball in hand as perhaps a sign of respect for his football journey.
Beech narrowly missed out on a spot on Adelaide’s roster at the 2014 rookie draft, despite widely being recognised as the best player in the SANFL.
The Barmera-Monash product didn’t dwell on his non-selection, and instead called Crows National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie directly to ask where he could improve his game to be in draft calculations the following year.
Beech’s persistence paid off following another standout season with the Bloods. Adelaide snapped him up with its second selection in last year’s rookie draft because, in Ogilvie’s own words, “he simply deserved his chance”.
Beech said he’s committed to making the most of his opportunity with Adelaide.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.
“I’m really enjoying the lifestyle as a professional athlete and just committing 100 per cent to footy. I can really push myself and find out how good I can potentially become as a footballer.
“I’m loving it so far.”
Beech was among several strong performers in the SANFL on Saturday. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Riley Knight, Mitch Grigg, Ricky Henderson and Reilly O’Brien all impressed as the SANFL Crows recorded its first-ever Round One win at state league level.
SANFL Stats: Round One v West Adelaide
Adelaide narrowly missed finals action in its first two seasons in the SANFL, but Beech believes this year’s side has the potential to move further up the ladder in 2016.
“We put in a good team effort today and got the rewards,” he said.
“The whole team played well and it’s always easier for blokes like me to get on the end of a few goals in a winning side.
“We’ve got a great bunch in the SANFL here and in the squad altogether. If we don’t get too many injuries, we’ve definitely got a good side to go on and have a strong season.”
