EFL 2019: Box Hill Hawks midfielder Nick Evans signs at South Croydon

South Croydon has added another former Box Hill Hawk to its list for 2019 as it prepares for a tilt at a second premiership in three years.

Nick Evans in action for Box Hill Hawks during his time in the VFL. Picture: Brendan Francis

South Croydon has added another former Box Hill Hawk to its list for 2019, signing midfielder Nick Evans.

Evans played more than 50 senior VFL games and made seven appearances, including the grand final defeat, as an aligned player for South Croydon last year.

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But the 23-year-old will be at Cheong Park full time this year after calling time on his state league career.

Evans becomes the fourth former Box Hill player to put pen to paper at the Bulldogs for this season after Max Warren, Chris Jones and Jordan Walker signed at the Eastern Football League Premier division outfit.

South Croydon football operations manager Damon Hindmarsh said Evans had contemplated a move to Queensland, where his father, Mark, is the chief executive of Gold Coast Suns, but elected to stay in Melbourne.

Max Warren in his one game for North Melbourne in 2014. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I think he was looking at playing at Southport but it might have come down to his uni situation and pretty much his friends at South Croydon,” Hindmarsh said.

“The fact he’s only on his last year at uni, it’s probably best for him to stay in Melbourne.”

Evans will be allocated three points in the player points cap this year.

Hindmarsh said Evans would provide versatility for the Bulldogs.

“He’ll probably go through the mid, maybe through halfback and wing,” he said.

“His overall fitness and pace, his outside run, that helped us a lot when he was available.

“The main thing is now he is full-time, he’ll be able to get used to the way the game is played at local level.

“I think that will help him a lot because he is coming back from VFL where the game style is totally different. He should settle in but his pace is his main weapon that helps us.”

Jason Pongracic has also recommitted to the Bulldogs and will be available when he’s not on VFL duties with Williamstown.

South Croydon has also signed former North Ringwood, Croydon and Mooroolbark junior Joel Burleigh, who captained Eastern Ranges last year.

Burleigh has joined South Croydon through links with coach Luke McCormick.

“I think he’s just decided to give it a go at EFL senior level first before he goes off to VFL,” Hindmarsh said.

“His fitness is his big thing but his test is going to be playing against men for the first time but I can’t see that being a problem.”

Ben McDonald (travel), Michael ‘Zippy’ King (retirement), David Del Papa (Wantirna South) and Josh Allison (East Ringwood) are among the departures.

South Croydon opens its season against Balwyn on April 6.

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