Port Adelaide has boosted its small forward stocks with the signing of delisted free agent Francis Evans.
The former Cat was restricted for opportunities at Kardinia Park, managing seven games for Geelong after debuting in 2021.
The first delisted free agency period opened on Thursday morning and runs until November 9.
Evans booted two goals in his first AFL game but was ruled out of the rest of 2021 through injury, before falling down the pecking order for the eventual premiers in 2022.
The 21-year-old booted 20 goals in the VFL this year and Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said the signing is an important one for the club.
“Going into the off-season we recognised a need to bolster our small forward stocks and Francis is a player we identified as suiting that need,” Cripps told the club’s website.
Young small forward Francis Evans has made his way to Alberton as a delisted free agent 👏
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) November 3, 2022
📰 https://t.co/teSMtSM0eg@Comwire | #weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/hm3cPGoeOa
“We know he has an eye for goal but is also not immune to working hard to win the ball and keep it in the forward line.
“We look forward to getting him to the club in the coming weeks as our players return for pre-season training.”
Evans joins Junior Rioli as recruits in the small forward department, an area of the ground Port had little depth in throughout 2022.
Former Roo Jason Horne-Francis also came to Alberton in the trade period.