Former Norwood, Sturt and Pembroke OS player Mark Evans calls time on 15-year career

A dual SANFL premiership player and local SA footy star has hung the boots up after 15 years in senior footy but has not ruled out returning to coach in the future.

A dual SANFL premiership player and local SA footy star has called time on his 15-year senior playing career.

Former Norwood, Sturt and Pembroke OS player Mark Evans has made the decision to retire from football after clocking up over 150 SANFL games and 35 games with the Kings.

Evans said he made the decision to better support his young family.

“I think the decision was down to multiple factors but the main one was really my family commitments,” Evans said.

“We’ve just had a second child so it’s probably time I start to be as present as I can on week nights and on weekends.

“I love my footy but the way I go about it is all in, doing everything I need to do to prepare and help the team out.”

Mark Evans after scoring at the SANFL game between Sturt and North Adelaide at Unley Oval in Adelaide, Saturday, September 19, 2020. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette)

The star forward and midfielder won back-to-back flags with Sturt in 2016 and 2017, and a division four flag as playing-coach of Pembroke OS in 2022.

One of the best players in local SA footy through recent seasons, Evans returned to the club to play alongside his brother Tom and booted 88 goals in his 35 games for the Kings.

“I was probably a bit beaten up physically when I finished up at Sturt in 2021 but I’m really glad I had some really good years at Pembroke before finishing up,” he said.

“Obviously the senior flags with Sturt are major highlights, especially after a bit of a challenging period where I missed out on success with Norwood, but the 2022 premiership with Pembroke was also really special.

“I came to the club to try and provide some leadership and put a system in which the guys could follow and to see them execute like that was amazing.

“Obviously I’ve got a lot of memories in footy and I’m really grateful for my time Norwood, Sturt and Pembroke and all the lifelong friendships I’ve made.”

Pembroke OS celebrates its 2022 division four premiership. Picture: Pembroke OS Football Club

While the Kings made division three finals in 2023, the side suffered a devastating elimination final loss to Hope Valley after leading by 30 points at three-quarter time.

While Evans said the result was disappointing, he believed more success was right around the corner for the club.

“It was an interesting game – we fought really hard and gave ourselves a good opportunity to win but they got on top in the middle in that final term and we couldn’t overcome that,” Evans said.

“We changed a lot and experienced a lot to get from div four to div three and there’s plenty to take from the experience this year.

“We’ve got a lot of great young players coming through as well so the future is bright.”

Mark Evans (left) celebrates the Kings' 2022 division four premiership. Picture: Lisa Wright

While Evans has called time on his playing career, he could not rule out returning to footy as a coach in the future.

“Right now it’s about spending time with my family but I do think I’d like to coach again at some stage.

“I really enjoyed my couple years as coach at the Kings and learned a lot about my philosophies.

“I enjoy being able to have a positive impact on people as well so I’d be keen to get back to it.”

Evans was a Ken Farmer Medallist and dual premiership player with Sturt who was also selected in the 2016 and 2018 Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

He also ranked no. 1 in The Advertiser’s top 40 division three players of 2023.