AFL Draft: Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) next generation academy hopeful Koby Evans sideline with back injury

Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) next generation academy prospect Koby Evans has been ruled out of the entire under-18 championships with a back injury. The West Australian can reveal Evans reported soreness after playing for the Australian academy side against Coburg last month having battled discomfort for a few weeks. Evans has stress injuries in his back that will sideline him for eight to 10 weeks, meaning he won’t represent the Black Swans this year. It’s a blow for the talented small forward, who has started his draft year strongly. Evans collected 28 touches and kicked two goals in his only colts appearance for Perth in round one, before impressing with the academy side with 14 touches, four tackles and four inside 50s against Coburg. The 17-year-old represented WA as a bottom ager last season and caught the attention with his backflip celebration after kicking a goal against South Australia. Evans also trained at the Eagles over the pre-season alongside fellow NGA prospect Wes Walley and father-son hopeful Charlie Banfield. Meanwhile, Walyalup (Fremantle) NGA hopeful Toby Whan is no certainty to take on the WAFL under-21 game in a trial match at Fremantle Community Bank Oval this weekend because of a hip niggle. Whan has been nearing a league debut for South Fremantle and is coming off an incredible performance for the Bulldogs’ colts side, picking up 34 disposals, eight inside 50s and a goal in a strong win over reigning premiers Claremont. The midfielder is averaging 29 disposals and a goal from five appearance this season and is shooting up the draft rankings. Highly touted midfielder Fred Rodriguez is also coming off a strong game with 32 touches and a goal in the same game after getting a taste of senior footy in round one.