Firstly, I say well done to ‘Gary’ of Waikerie for interacting with his local paper, including his Text Line contribution about Jono Beech last week (3/7/24). The Pioneer is still the top forum for local debate. However, I fear Gary’s view is a little under-informed. Jono Beech played the last of his three AFL games in 2017, and when delisted continued playing for SANFL club West Adelaide. Jono is nearly 34 years old. He was born and raised in Barmera, and played juniors for Barmera-Monash, where his dad, Mick, is a legendary past player. Jono still has close family in Barmera. By coming back to the RFL this season, Jono is giving back to his home club and community – he’s that kind of fella. Also, he’s hardly Robinson Crusoe. It wasn’t that many years ago, Gary, when Mark Ricciuto did exactly the same at Waikerie – and Mark had played 312 AFL games, won a premiership and landed the AFL’s top individual honour, the Brownlow Medal. Plenty of similarly-credentialled players as Jono have returned to their RFL clubs, and the Riverland competition – including the locals who get to play alongside them – has been the richer for it.
MP
Loxton

With reference to Gary of Waikerie, and Jono Beech playing for BMFC in the