THE Port Adelaide Football Club has welcomed Francis Evans to Alberton after signing the former Geelong forward as a delisted free agent.
Originally drafted by the Cats with pick 41 in the 2019 national draft, the 21-year-old has had limited AFL opportunities since booting two goals on debut against Brisbane in Round 2, 2021.
He played a total of seven AFL matches including five in 2022 before being delisted following the Cats’ premiership success.
Evans’ rise to the AFL came as a surprise to most after he was plucked from division two amateur Victorian club Brunswick and played just two NAB League games with Calder Cannons in his draft year.
The strongly built forward booted 20 goals at VFL level in 2022, including 5.1 against eventual premier Casey Demons in Round 16.
He has also shown an ability to spend time on the ball, averaging 15 disposals in 14 VFL games.
“Going into the off-season we recognised a need to bolster our small forward stocks and Francis is a player we identified as suiting that need,” said Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps.
“We know he has an eye for goal but is also not immune to working hard to win the ball and keep it in the forward line.
“We look forward to getting him to the club in the coming weeks as our players return for pre-season training.”
Evans joins former West Coast forward Junior Rioli and former number 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis in being recruited by Port Adelaide so far this season.
Francis Evans
DOB: 23/08/01
182cm, 83kg
Debuted Round 2, 2021
Recruited with pick 41 in 2019 national draft from Brunswick North OB/Brunswick SC (Calder U18)
AFL games: 7 (5 in 2022)
AFL goals: 3 (1 in 2022)
