
#18
Koby Evans
height: 187cm
weight:
D.O.B: 08-09-2007
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A powerful midfielder-forward who uses his speed to both surge forward and apply punishing pressure.” – Michael Alvaro
Koby Evans is one of the great unknowns in this year’s draft crop. The West Coast Next Generation Academy (NGA) member has suffered his fair share of injury setbacks over the years, but remains a strong draft chance on the glimpses of talent he has shown. Evans’ bottom-age season set the platform, playing 15 WAFL Colts games and turning out thrice for Western Australia’s state 18s, where he broke out the famous backflip celebration.
This year, he was restricted to just two Colts and League appearances, and one of two National Academy matches. He had tongues wagging with a massive preseason performance in front of many AFL recruiters, before going on to notch 28 disposals and a goal in Round 1 of the Colts campaign. A calf injury sidelined him for the next game, though that was nothing compared to his 14-week recovery from back stress fractures soon after.
Having previously gone though the same recovery process, he stayed busy with the state program during rehab and made a splash upon his Colts return. 25 touches and seven tackles in stifling conditions saw him promoted into Perth’s League side a week later, making two appearances before again going down with an ankle injury. He has had access to the Eagles facilities for his recovery and is beginning to get back into the gym.
Evans says his rollercoaster year has helped build mental toughness, and while invited to the National Draft Combine, he attended sporting crutches and a moon boot. The explosive prospect models his game on the likes of Shai Bolton and Isaac Heeney, but doesn’t necessarily support a club. He’ll hope his small sample size is enough to land him on an AFL list where he can continue to unlock his potential.
Click the ANALYSIS tab for more
STRENGTHS:
+ Competitiveness
+ Pressure
+ Power
+ Size
+ Speed
+ X-factor
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Consistency
- Decision making
Evans possesses a unique blend of size and power, which puts him in good stead for making a smooth transition into senior football. He worked hard on his midfield craft throughout preseason and looked comfortable there in his sparse appearances, cracking in to prise first possession while absorbing physical pressure. He is a clean handball distributor and will not only stand up in tackles, but also drive his legs or fend and break through them.
That kind of explosiveness makes Evans an effective in-to-out ball winner. On the outside, his turn of speed is an eye-catching traits. Evans isn't afraid to step around opponents and take the game on, producing moments of flair to break the lines. He does special things with ball in hand and has the creativity to manufacture scoring chances. Evans is also a regular goalkicker having largely cut his teeth as a forward before this year.
While he uses his speed daringly on the attack, it's just as effective on the defensive end. Evans applies smothering tackle pressure, displaying great desperation and an appetite to compete. His ability to make repeat efforts keeps him involved in the play, and combined with his ball-winning acumen, makes him a terrific wet weather player. As much was evident in his stifling Round 17 Colts return against West Perth.
In terms of improvement areas, Evans can continue to sharpen his decision making. He tends to blast away when exiting the contest by foot, so can work on either using his physical gifts to get into space, or lowering his eyes to hit targets ahead of the ball. Evans is also working on becoming a more consistent player across four quarters. Confidence is a factor in that aspect, which will develop quickly with a clean injury-free run. Durability garners confidence and that's something Evans has lacked over the last few years. There is plenty more potential to unlock.
DRAFT RANGE: 30-50
SUMMARY:
Evans is in somewhat of a draft limbo given he is highly talented, but hasn’t had much of a chance to prove it. Those in the know will have his early-season exploits in mind and will do their due diligence to find hidden gems in a relatively shallow draft pool. Being club-tied is somewhat of a fallback for Evans, though he isn’t entirely sure on West Coast’s plans and is open to playing anywhere to achieve his overarching goal of being drafted. The Eagles have been afforded some handy concessions, including extra rookie spots, though other clubs may pull the trigger on a bid during the National Draft. If so, Evans will likely be one of four West Coast-tied prospects to consider.
AFL U18 Championships
Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Western Australia | 16 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5.3 | 3.7 | 9.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 37 |
2025 | Western Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | - | 16 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5.3 | 3.7 | 9.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 37 |