VFL 2024: Dropped Sun Alex Sexton staked his claim for AFL return as Zak Evans debuted

Alex Sexton reminded the Gold Coast Suns selectors of what he can do up forward, while a former Big Bash cricketer made his VFL debut. More here.

Alex Sexton of the Suns handballs during the round 17 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium, on July 06, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Alex Sexton reminded the Gold Coast Suns selectors of what he can do in the forward line with a vintage showing against the Lions on Saturday.

Sexton was immense at half forward as he bagged five goals from 21 disposals in Gold Coast’s convincing 35-point VFL win over the high-flying Lions at the People First Stadium curtain-raiser on Saturday.

It was his first game back in the VFL since round six, where he last amassed 32 disposals against the Lions. He had played nine consecutive AFL games for the Suns since.

“Alex was really good, he kicked five goals but the most pleasing part was his workrate and the ability to get up and down the ground,” Suns VFL coach Tate Kaesler said.

Alex Sexton of the Suns warms up prior to the round 19 AFL match. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“We know and we’re really comfortable with what he does at half back, there was a bit of team balance but it was also an opportunity for Alex – who is one of the club’s leading goalkickers from history – it just gives him another avenue to push his case for AFL footy.

“There was a little bit of that in it as well and he was really up for the challenge of playing that high half forward role again and seeing what he can do, it only helps put his case forward again for the AFL team next week against West Coast.

“His ability to find space ahead of the ball was really exciting. What it shows now is it shows he’s got attributes to play at half back or half forward.”

The match also served as a Suns debut for cricket convert Zak Evans, who officially joined the club’s list last week as a Category B rookie.

Evans played 10 Big Bash games for the Renegades as well as two List A games and one First-class game for Victoria. He was a prolific bowler for St Kilda at Victorian Premier Cricket level and took 27 first grade wickets last season.

The 24-year-old was injected into the weekend’s VFL game in the second half and had three touches, including a strong mark in the backline.

It was his first game of footy in six years, and he had been training with Old Xaverians in Melbourne twice a week as well as completing his own fitness block before making the move north.

“He did a week’s training (with the Suns) but we want to give him the opportunity to play a bit of footy,” Kaesler said, while noting it was important he was eased into gametime given his lack of match fitness.

Zak Evans of the Renegades looks on during a Big Bash League match. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images.

“Potentially next week we extend that to three quarters of footy and then slowly extend that for the remainder of the season. He’ll have a good pre-season and we’ll look forward to what he can bring next year.”

Kaesler said he expected Evans to find a home in the backline long-term.

“I feel like he’s going to be that hybrid half back and running half back type of player with great physicality. He looks like a player that loves the contest and that’s really exciting for the footy club.”

“We haven’t seen heaps of him from a training perspective but he looks like a really powerful athlete, he’s quite strong physically, he’s got a good build and he’s a good size.

“He was really nervous and a bit excited at times as well. It was good to get him a few touches and get him around the boys.”

Brayden Fiorini, Rory Atkins and Darcy Macpherson also impressed for Gold Coast’s VFL outfit on the weekend, as did academy trio Jai Murray, Zeke Uwland and Leo Lombard.

Uwland is the younger brother of AFL Sun Bodhi and had 15 touches in his first outing on the wing after a shift from half back. The 17-year-old is touted as one of the top draft prospects in 2025.

The weekend’s win over Brisbane was an important one for the Suns, who ended the Lions eight-match winning streak and kept themselves well in the hunt for VFL finals. They sit eighth on the ladder with a game in hand on most of the competition.

“It was probably some of the best footy we’ve played this year,”Kaesler said.

“We set the ground up really well and were able to shift the ball and move it quite freely which was pleasing.”

Originally published as VFL 2024: Dropped Sun Alex Sexton staked his claim for AFL return as Zak Evans debuted