AFL 2024: How Port Adelaide opened its arms to mid-season draftee Logan Evans through SANFL program

Once projected as a top 25 pick, Logan Evans felt his dream “slipping” last year. However, a switch to the Power SANFL side proved the spark he needed to find his way to the AFL.

NEWS ADV Port training photos Norwood 2024 draft prospect Logan Evans, who is spending part of pre-season with the Power Image/Russell Millard Photography

He had a big setback, but now Logan Evans is back on track.

Considered to be a potential top 25 prospect in his draft year while at Norwood, Evans ended up not being selected by a club at all last year.

But joining Port Adelaide through the SANFL Rookie Program gave the 18-year-old defender a second chance, and he grasped it with both hands.

After impressing the Power when training with them and through his performances in the Magpies at SANFL level, he was selected by Port Adelaide with the 12th pick of Wednesday’s mid-season draft.

Over the moon on Wednesday night, it was a far cry from how Evans felt when he was overlooked entirely last year.

However, he said it wasn’t a shock.

“Last year at draft time I kind of was feeling I wasn’t going to get picked up,” he said.

Logan Evans said the Power boys had helped him immensely this season. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

“I started the year how I really wanted to and it slipped away.

“A few things … on the field I should have done better and I started trying to play catch up instead of just backing my process in and just keep playing my footy.”

Tragedy also struck off-field which affected his mindset.

“A few things off field like grandpa passed away and a bit of that stuff, which is probably what I’d say led to it (slipping) a little bit,” he said.

“Now being able to get back on track and just put my head down and go to work again and finally get an opportunity is nice.”

It is an opportunity Evans is determined to make the most out of.

“I think they’ve just put so much confidence in me and the amount of time they’ve taken out and the amount of attention they give me,” he said.

“Just letting me be able to seek out whatever I need, if that’s vision or recovery and just extra stuff on the track or off the track, talking to the coaches, getting feedback from the players, just trying to soak it all up as much as possible and learn as much as possible and fortunately enough I get to do it for another year.”

Logan Evans last season during his draft year while playing for Norwood’s Under 18s. Picture: SANFL/Peter Argent

Standing at 189cm, Evans is a versatile defender who uses the ball well and has impressed the Power with his ability to read the ball and compete aerially.

He said Power young gun Miles Bergman was a player he looked up to.

“We’re a similar height and I love his running power, it’s one thing I want to get better at, just being able to run a full game out at a really high standard,” he said.

“So just watching what he does, and hopefully in the pre-season, getting in the gym, get on the track with him and just try and keep up with him as much as possible.”

After being sidelined by a back injury for the last month, Evans will play for the Magpies on Friday night against Sturt at Alberton Oval.

SA CLUBS LOOK RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES FOR MID-SEASON DRAFT

Both South Australian AFL clubs have chosen to look right under their noses with their selections in the mid-season draft.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide both drafted a player from its SANFL programs on Wednesday night.

The Crows made it a family affair by taking Toby Murray, the brother of key defender Nick with the seventh pick.

The Power drafted Logan Evans, who has impressed since coming into the Magpies program, with pick No. 12.

Adelaide had three list spots available going into Monday night, and while the Crows had interest in Woodville-West Torrens defender Luke Beecken – who was drafted by Brisbane a pick before their second selection – and former Gold Coast Sun Jez McLennan they only went with Murray.

The moment Toby Murray’s AFL dream became a reality ☺️ pic.twitter.com/dqTWjLTFqF

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) May 29, 2024

The 200cm ruck/forward, who also went back to defence in the SANFL this year, joined the Crows state league squad for 2024 – also training with Matthew Nicks’ side.

The brother of key defender Nick, who will make his return from an ACL injury in the SANFL against West Adelaide with the two playing together, also had stints in the VFL for Collingwood and Essendon and spent last year playing for Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray Football League.

Adelaide national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said Murray had impressed the Crows.

“We’ve had a chance to have a good look at Toby this year and are very pleased with him,” Ogilvie said.

“He’s put on some size and strength while working on a farm full-time which shows a great attitude and appetite for hard work.

“He played strong footy against men for Wangaratta Rovers last year and we think as a 20-year-old 200cm player he’s got plenty of scope and time to improve.

“And it’s an area of the ground we need some support in going forward so it’s pleasing to add to our forward/ruck stocks.”

Ogilvie said the Crows taking just the one player was part of them looking towards the end of the year.

We need to keep some list flexibility for what we may want to do at the end of the year so were keen to keep our options open,” Ogilvie said.

“And also with the view to the talent pool in this year’s national draft being quite strong.

“It was never our intention to select three players just for the sake of it or just to bolster our SANFL team.”

Logan Evans. Pic/Russell Millard Photography

The Power opened up a list spot by placing forward Sam Powell-Pepper on the inactive list after his season-ending ACL injury, and opted for the 18-year-old Evans.

The defender, originally from Norwood, has been connected to Port Adelaide this year through the SANFL Rookie Program, which has allowed him to train with the AFL side and benefit from the experience of an elite sporting environment.

Despite being overlooked in last year’s national draft, Evans did impress with his speed and leap in the combine, placing among the top three in the running vertical jump (88cm) and 20-metre sprint (3.063 seconds).

He played a mixture of reserves and seniors for Norwood in 2023 and since joining Port Adelaide Evans has played four SANFL matches for the Magpies, averaging 15.3 disposals and 4.5 marks, before a back injury sidelined him last month.

He is back at full fitness and national recruiting manager Geoff Parker said Evans was a smart ball-user.

“Logan has trained well with our AFL playing group this year and has impressed us with his ability to read the ball and compete aerially,” Parker said.

“He’s a versatile footballer with a neat kick and plenty of offensive talent. Logan is a mature 18-year-old with good character, who has already proven to be a great cultural fit.

“We are pleased to offer Logan the opportunity to join an AFL list, especially with the hard work he’s put in since being overlooked in the national draft.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: How Port Adelaide opened its arms to mid-season draftee Logan Evans through SANFL program