FRANCIS Evans will complete a stunning two-year transformation from suburban footballer to AFL player on Friday night
The 19-year-old’s been named in the Geelong team for the clash with the Brisbane Lions after not being on a NAB League list at the start of the 2019 season.
Playing at Brunswick-NOBS in the VAFA, an impressive run of form resulted in former then-Calder Cannons captain Daniel Mott alerting former talent manager and Geelong great Tom Lonergan to Evans’ ability.
He managed only six quarters of action for the Cannons before injury intervened, but the Cats saw enough to take a punt with pick No.41 in the 2019 National Draft.
“It’s worked out pretty well,” Evans said. “Two years ago, I wanted to put my name up and hopefully get drafted.
“I didn’t think it would happen how I did, but I’m happy that it did.
“I feel like I’ve worked hard enough, and I get my chance now.”
Evans was in Melbourne with his mum and sister on Wednesday when he found out from development coach Shaun Grigg he would be in the team to take on the Lions.
He appeared in both of Geelong’s pre-season hitouts against Collingwood and Essendon and was the travelling emergency for last week’s trip to Adelaide.
“I feel pretty comfortable, and all the boys and the coaches are really supportive,” Evans said.
“I feel pretty confident going into it.”
Adding to that confidence has been the work Evans has been doing with forwards coach Corey Enright.
“I’ve just been trying to pick his brain a fair bit about my positioning and running patterns,” he said.
“On-field. I’ve been doing a bit with Gryan (Miers), and even ‘Hawk’ (Tom Hawkins) and a few of the other guys directing me and telling me where to go.
“In match play, you pick it up pretty quickly. After a few sessions with the AFL boys, I felt pretty comfortable because they communicate so well.
“And then Boris (Enright), you can look film with him, and he’s really supportive and helpful with that stuff.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
