Jonathon Beech has capped off a stellar first season as a Crow, claiming Adelaide’s State League Club Champion award.

Beech finished seven votes clear of midfielder Mitch Grigg and a further four votes ahead of fellow left-footer Harrison Wigg.

Last year’s runner-up Reilly O’Brien secured fourth place while Cam Ellis-Yolmen, who led for much of the count, claimed fifth despite missing three SANFL games and having his season cut short by a hamstring injury.

First-year players Hugh Greenwood, Tom Doedee and Dean Gore all polled strongly after solid seasons. Key-position duo Keenan Ramsey and Andy Otten rounded out the top 10.

Beech claimed the honour despite missing two games due to injury mid-season. The accolade is a deserved reward for the versatile utility after he was taken with Adelaide’s second pick in last year’s rookie draft.

Playing on a wing and also across half-forward, the 25-year-old was a consistent and often standout performer throughout the SANFL season. His strong form saw Beech promoted onto the Club’s senior list in August and he was twice named as an AFL emergency.

Beech averaged 18 possessions and eight marks across 19 games and kicked 29 goals for the year, behind only young key forward Harry Dear (37) for the SANFL Crows. He also ranked fifth in the League for score assists (23) and sixth in score involvements (125) and marks (117) during the home and away season.

It’s Beech’s second best and fairest at League level. The West Adelaide premiership player was awarded the Steve Hamra Medal (now known as the Neil Kerley Medal) as the Bloods’ best and fairest in 2014.

“Jono’s journey is an amazing story,” Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said.

“He’s earned his place here at the footy club simply through sheer hard work and persistence. In that regard, it’s little surprise to see him win this award.

“It caps off a fantastic first season at the Club and I’m sure he’ll be a popular winner.”

Beech first claimed the lead in the count in Round Three and was the frontrunner until a quad injury forced him onto the sidelines in Round 13.

He fell to eighth place after making his return two rounds later against Sturt - 25 votes adrift of new leader Ellis-Yolmen.

The pair traded the lead through the final rounds of the home and away season as Ellis-Yolmen was twice promoted to the senior side in Rounds 20 and 23.

The midfielder reclaimed top spot after earning 13 votes in Adelaide’s Elimination Final victory over Central District which would prove to be his final full game of the year.

Beech burst back into the lead following his career-best seven-goal Semi-Final haul and was again the top vote-getter in the Preliminary Final clash with Sturt in a fitting finish to the count.

The State League Club Champion voting process follows the same protocol as the senior team. Coaches rate every player from 0 – 4 after each match according to their impact. Adelaide’s 2016 SANFL coaching panel was Heath Younie, Tate Kaesler, Ryan O’Keefe and Paul Thomas.

Four players polled a maximum of 16 votes in five games throughout the SANFL season.

Beech polled a perfect 16 for his match-winning performance in the Semi-Final against South Adelaide and again after a 27-possession display in the Round 20 win against Norwood.

Ellis-Yolmen, Harry Dear and Brad Crouch also attracted maximum votes in one game each throughout the season.

Beech follows in the footsteps of former SANFL captain Ian Callinan, who won Adelaide’s first two State League Club Champion titles before returning to Tasmania last year.

See the complete list of past Club award winners

State League Club Champion Leaderboard – Top 10
1. Jonathon Beech – 185
2. Mitch Grigg – 178
3. Harrison Wigg – 174
4. Reilly O’Brien – 173
5. Cam Ellis-Yolmen – 163
6. Hugh Greenwood – 162
7. Tom Doedee – 156
8. Dean Gore – 141
9. Keenan Ramsey – 137
10. Andy Otten - 130

State League Club Champion Voting Protocol
1 vote – Played his role. Solid game without significant influence on the game.
2 votes – Played his role well and influenced the game.
3 votes – Played his very well with significant influence on the game.
4 votes – Played his role outstandingly and dominated the game.