YOUNG Port Adelaide defender Logan Evans has been named the Round 24 Telstra AFL Rising Star. 

Evans made an important contribution in the Power’s 20-point win over Fremantle on Sunday, recording 23 disposals, six marks and 631 metres gained. 

Overlooked in the 2023 national draft, the 18-year-old joined Port Adelaide through the SANFL Rookie Program, before joining the AFL list in the mid-season draft. 

Less than four weeks later, Evans was making his AFL debut, with the versatile teenager playing 10 games this season, showing he belongs at the top level. 

He’s averaged an impressive 16 disposals, 6.1 marks and 351 metres gained, and has showed his defensive talent in the air and at ground level. 

Logan Evans has been incredibly impressive in his debut year, retaining his spot in Port Adelaide's side since his first appearance in Round 15. Image: AFL Photos.

Speaking straight after Sunday’s win, senior coach Ken Hinkley lauded Evans’ performance. 

“If he’s not the Rising Star this week, then I’m a bad judge,” Hinkley said. 

“That was as good a game for an 18-year-old as you’d probably hope to play, in a high-pressure game, particularly when a couple of boys went down. 

“I am pumping up for Logan… I think he deserves it. He’s had an outstanding first year. He was not drafted, he was a mid-season draft pick and he’s been a good player in those (high pressure) environments, in a pretty good team.” 

Overlooked in the 2023 national draft, the 18-year-old joined Port Adelaide through the SANFL Rookie Program. Image: AFL Photos.

Evans came through Norwood's U16 and U18 pathway via the Hectorville Football Club, and becomes the first Port Adelaide player to be nominated for the Telstra AFL Rising Star award since Lachie Jones in Round 15, 2022 

The 2024 Telstra AFL Rising Star will be announced at the 2024 AFL Awards on Thursday, August 29 at Centrepiece in Melbourne. The awards will be broadcast live on Fox Footy from 7:30pm AEST.