Former BBL cricketer Zak Evans joins Gold Coast Suns as Category B rookie

Zak Evans hopes to feature for Gold Coast this year after the former BBL cricketer’s code switch was rubber-stamped by the AFL.

Code convert Zak Evans is officially a Gold Coast Sun after the AFL ticked off on the former Big Bash and Sheffield Shield cricketer’s shock switch this week.

The 24-year-old, who last played Aussie rules at Xavier College in 2018, has signed with the Suns as a Category B Rookie and will be cleared to play VFL for the remainder of this season before joining the club’s list for 2025.

Evans, a former Melbourne Renegades and Victorian fast bowler, became a player of interest to a number of clubs when his state contract was not renewed last year.

Zak Evans celebrates a wicket for Melbourne Renegades in 2021. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

He had been training two days a week with Old Xaverians in Melbourne and working through his own gym and running block to build fitness before officially joining his new Suns teammates for training this week.

“I still feel like I have a bit of a cricket body to be honest,” Evans joked.

“But hopefully a couple of weeks in the gym and a few weeks running will get me ready for the VFL.

“It’s nice to have this little period now before next season so I can hit pre-season and hit the ground running from there. It’s going to take a bit, but I’m excited for it.”

Just reminiscing about this screamer from Zak Evans last year 🙌#GETONREDpic.twitter.com/Q2klzUm7CG

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) December 24, 2022

Even after he turned his back on Aussie rules to pursue a cricket career, some AFL recruiters still felt he was not lost to the sport forever.

Among those was Gold Coast’s national recruiting manager Kall Burns, who had kept in contact with Evans on-and-off in case he ever decided to one day return to footy.

“There’s still conversations (with recruiters) and stuff like that (but) it’s hard to really pursue them knowing you still have a career in cricket,” Evans said.

“I’ve always wanted to see what the AFL path would have looked like.

Zak Evans charges in for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I never really got the opportunity back when I was in Year 12 because I was already signed with cricket. But after being off-contract with cricket for about a year I thought why not, embrace the opportunity and get after it.

“I got up here for a day and had a few interviews, met the boys and you could just tell something pretty special was brewing up here.”

Evans last played footy six years ago, when he was deployed as a running defender or winger – a role he is expected to adopt at the Suns.

“I’d like to be playing hopefully VFL footy by the end of the season,” he said.

“I don’t know how that’s going to go but I like to push myself so hopefully I can get out there and go well.

“It’s funny to think about. If I go back almost six months ago it’s not something that even crossed my mind.

“Being here now it’s an opportunity that I’m here to relish and I’m stoked to be here.”

Originally published as Former BBL cricketer Zak Evans joins Gold Coast Suns as Category B rookie