Francis Evans’ debut AFL season has been a whirlwind at Geelong
This season has been strange but for Francis Evans it just adds to his whirlwind introduction to AFL. The Geelong youngster talks about scratch matches, rubbing shoulders with Gary Ablett and how he hopes to break into the Cats’ 22.
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There’s never been a season like it but it’s kind of fitting for Geelong youngster Francis Evans.
The Calder Cannons graduate was the bolter of the 2019 draft when the Cats pounced on the unheralded forward with pick No.41.
Instead of a freezing Geelong winter he found himself in sunny Queensland as the AFL world moved north and living in a football bubble.
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Yet Evans has settled quickly and despite no official games to prove himself has been close to breaking through for a senior debut.
“It’s been hectic but I haven’t really thought about it too much,” he said.
“Before COVID, I was just trying to get used to being an AFL footballer, the first few weeks I was a bit nervous and didn’t know what to expect.
“(The bubble) is a pretty good situation because we’re 24/7 with each other and you get to know all the guys and coaches really well.
“Obviously, from a footy perspective it’s a bit harder because you’re not playing regular games but the scratch matches have been good. In a tough situation it’s probably the best result we can get.
“It’s a bit different but you’re still able to learn and get better and being with the guys 24/7 you can pick their brains more than you would in Geelong.”
Evans started 2019 playing for Brunswick NOBS in VAFA’s Division 2, kicking 21 goals in five matches.
The 182cm forward played two games for Calder before a heel injury ended his season in June.
He admits being a bit star struck when he first arrived at GMHBA Stadium and has been pleased with his improvement.
“On our first day (Dangerfield, Selwood and Ablett) all walked in in succession pretty much and I was a bit star struck,” he said.
“They’re really good blokes and I’ve got comfortable with them and they take you under their wing.
“Definitely, (I’ve improved) especially since last year but even from the pre-season,” he said.
“I came in pretty raw, I didn’t really understand a lot of the structures, but I’ve picked them up pretty quickly and that’s a credit to the coaches that have been putting in the time with me.”
Evans credits forwards coach Corey Enright and development coaches Shane O’Bree and James Rahilly for his rapid improvement.
The Cats team has been almost impossible to break into this season with coach Chris Scott handing out only two debuts – Bradley Close and Ben Jarvis – equal fewest in the competition.
Evans hopes a big pre-season will see him break through in 2021.
“I’ve been emergency a few times, which is a promising sign, and I’ll just keep chipping away at the things I need to do in the pre-season,” he said.
“Then hopefully I can get a bit stronger so I can play a bit more midfield as well, play more positions and be of value to the team.
“If it’s forward, midfield, whatever is good for the team I’m happy to do it and chip away on the things they think I need to improve on hopefully I can get a game next year.”