Carlton have decided to sign former Geelong and Port Adelaide small forward Francis Evans to their last remaining list spot for the 2025 season following a five-horse race during the Supplemental Selection Period.
The Blues considered Evans, ex-Hawthorn pair Denver Grainger-Barras and Ethan Phillips, and VFL duo Liam McMahon and Will White for their final list vacancy over the summer.
The latter trio have all signed with the Blues' VFL program for 2025, giving the Princes Park club a wider net to cast for train-on talent.
Evans had also signed with Carlton's reserves after being delisted by the Power at the end of last year, his second club departure after being cut by the Cats two years earlier.
The 23-year-old has 34 career games to his name, 27 of which came with the Power, including a career-high 17 matches last year.
โFrancis is a resilient person and player: his immense professionalism, dedication and hard work he has put in to make his way back to the highest level is really impressive. He's a great example for those coming through the system,โ Blues list boss Nick Austin said.
โFrancis is a true competitor, his attack on the ball and ability to do anything and everything thatโs required for the team have all been crucial to seeing him earn his spot back on an AFL list.
โHe is a talented small forward who will really complement our current group, so we are excited to see his growth and development across the season.
โWe are thrilled to be able to offer him another opportunity in the AFL and know he will fit in seamlessly here at Carlton.โ
The Blues' latest list call is the club's second of the SSP, having re-listed defender Matt Carroll after his training stint.
Carroll was delisted by Carlton in October but was offered the chance to fight for a list spot alongside fellow cut backman Sam Durdin, who was unsuccessful in his attempts to land a career lifeline.
Carlton decided against moving injured defender Nic Newman - who ruptured his patella tendon earlier this pre-season - to the inactive list, with the 32-year-old hopeful of potentially returning to the field late into the season.
Evans could be on show in the navy blue as early as this weekend, with Carlton hosting St Kilda at Princes Park this weekend in their opening practice match.
