Port Adelaide’s newest recruit Logan Evans is “over the moon” to join the Power’s list after being overlooked in the 2023 national draft. 

Evans was elated to hear his name being called at pick 12 in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday night, as he was mobbed by friends and family. 

The 18-year-old was already involved with Port Adelaide through the SANFL Rookie Program, but now his dream of playing AFL football is one step closer to reality. 

Evans spoke to the Adelaide media on Thursday about his second chance, who he looks up to in the side, and what he’s learned over the last six months.  

Evans on the mid-season draft 
“Yeah I'm pretty stoked, I’m over the moon. It was good to have all my mates and family there (when my name was called). It was not really a surprise but just so grateful for the opportunity. To have my name called out was amazing. 

“A few of my schoolmates (were with me) and some mates I've played footy with since I was probably seven or eight and then others I went through the Norwood ranks with, so it was nice to have a bunch of mates from different places and for all of them to get around me for one special night was amazing and I’m so grateful for it.”  

Evans on being part of Port Adelaide through the SANFL Rookie Program 
“Not really (much changes now), I was training full time with the AFL team for the last six months and it's been incredible just how good the coaches, the staff, the players are and have just made me feel really, really welcome. So happy to continue playing here. It's a really, really good opportunity and great club culture.” 

Evans on his development since being at Port Adelaide 
“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, 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.” 

Evans on being overlooked in the 2023 national draft 
“Probably yeah, just disappointed. But at the same time, last year at draft time I kind of was feeling I wasn't going to get picked up. 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 and then 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 a little bit. 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.” 

Evans on getting a second chance through the rookie program 
“I thought it as a bit of a second chance like being full time with the AFL boys, as I said being able to learn as much as possible from them, the coaches, people have been doing this for years has been a really, really big opportunity.” 

Evans on who he has learned from 
“Quite a few people, I talk to Travis Boak a lot just because of how experienced he is. Ken gives me some really, really good talks and even Hamish Hartlett, all the coaches are really good. And then I talk to Miles Bergman, just because of how hard he works and he’s someone I model my game off. And then Dan Houston, Lachie Jones, Ryan Burton, all the backline is always there whenever I need them. So it's been really, really good for me. I guess at the moment I just take it day by day. Just enjoy the moment for now. And then if an opportunity comes up (to play AFL football), yeah, hopefully I can take it with both arms.” 

Evans on looking up to Miles Bergman  
“I think Berg’s (Miles Bergman) a really good example of (who I want to play like). 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. 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.” 

Evans on being paid to play football 
“Yeah that's a bonus, I’d play for free to be honest but yeah, I’m very lucky to be able to do this as a job full time.” 

Evans on his personal goals 
“Just to get back on track now, first game back tomorrow night (following a back injury). It's exciting, super relieved and then (I want to) play well, get some good games behind me and I guess we'll see what happens. If they want to play me that’s great and if not, I'll just keep working as hard as I can to earn a spot in the team.”  

Evans on his chats with coach Ken Hinkley  
“They've been positive and I just look for feedback. So I do listen to whatever he says, he's been doing this for 12 years and he was at Geelong before this so just being able to learn off someone who’s so experienced has been good. He gives me good feedback and I'm always happy to take it all on board.”