Ongoing Victorian COVID-19 lockdowns put paid to the competition and a year of promise for the Pios — who finished fourth — was ultimately cast aside.
For captain Evans — his second year in the role — it was a frustrating way to finish his time at the club.
“We had a successful year, but obviously didn’t get to finish off what we wanted to do,” Evans said.
“We didn’t get to play much at all, which is disappointing. You play one or two games then you go into lockdown for a week or two — just no continuity.
“Myself and Joey (Guiney) have been there the entire time. He’s been injured the entire year actually but I’ve spent most of my time with him so I’ve loved playing with him.“Then there’s a few of the similar boys my age like Josh Treacy and Sam Conforti, they’re probably some of my closest mates out of the Pios.”
While Evans’ draft and over-age year's with the Pios were ultimately filled with disruption, it’s now “on to bigger and better things” for the lauded young leader.
Following a tilt at the mid-season rookie draft earlier this year, Evans said he was keeping a lid on his AFL draft chances at the national iteration in November.
“I’m not expecting anything, but we’ll see what happens,” Evans said. “There’s a little bit (there) but it’s pretty quiet, not much happening.”
Should that not eventuate, Evans indicated his interest in building on his debut with Essendon in the VFL.
The 19-year old earned a spot on the Bombers’ list before donning the sash against Carlton in May, logging 10 touches and five marks in a solid start to VFL life.
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