Queanbeyan Tigers midfielder Evans, the 2018 Mulrooney Medal winner for best and fairest has just signed a two-year contract with the Canberra Demons. 

Evans said it was a difficult decision to leave the Tigers, but said the club had been understanding about his shift. 

He will now get to showcase his wares on a bigger stage against teams like the Sydney Swans, GWS, Gold Coast and the NT Thunder. 

“The club was really good about the move,” Evans said. “Obviously they were disappointed I was leaving, but they understand it’s best for my footy.”

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Evans said he never expected to be dubbed the cream of the crop in the Canberra comp, but was ecstatic to see his work paying dividends. 

“It was a real shock to win, but I’m just so happy my work paid off,” he said. 

“It can be pretty hard to balance the work and footy sometimes, but you’ve got to find the time if you want to compete at a higher level.”

Canberra Head-Coach Kade Klemke says Evans will provide the club with more midfield depth ahead of the 2019 NEAFL season.

“Kel really impressed us with his form in 2018, he has great character and is excited to help drive our young club forward,” Klemke said. 

Officials from the Demons said they were excited to welcome Evans as hey had quickly emerged “as one of the most electrifying players” in the state-wide competition. 

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Ironically, Evans met the Queanbeyan coach Dave Corcoran through cricket and that was the springboard for his launch into the Aussie rules competition. 

“I was right into my cricket and started coming up to play for Queanbeyan as a wicketkeeper and that's how I met Dave,” he said. 

“During an off-season I decided to have a run with footy and just fell in love with it.”

It was when he “started going alright” that Evans made the switch more permanently and said he has now put his cricket on hold. 

“I've put it on hold for a while but still enjoy getting down and supporting Queanbeyan on the odd weekend,” he said. 

In more Aussie rules news another Tathra-based Evans is making waves with teenager Tarni Evans named in the AFLW Academy earlier this week. 

The former Tathra Eaglette ruck has joined forces with her older brother’s club and is one of the rising forces in the women’s competition. 

She will get to train with AFLW squads and high performance camps this year.