“Far superior footballer”: Carlton’s Owies trade resulting in Evans acquisition questioned

Carlton confirmed small forward Francis Evans as a SSP signing on Thursday.

The 23-year-old has been offered a third chance at AFL level by the Blues after spending time at Geelong and most recently Port Adelaide where he played 17 games in 2024, including three finals.

While it is a good story of resilience for the former VAFA player, Kane Cornes has questioned Carlton’s list management and salary cap strategy after trading Matt Owies to West Coast.

Cornes believes Owies would be the Blues’ best small forward after kicking 33 goals last season, labelling him as a “far superior” player to Evans. He wonders why they gave Owies away to the Eagles before scrambling to fill his spot with a twice delisted player.

“It’s a terrific story so that’s the nice part of this,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“Francis Evans was signed by the Blues yesterday. His third club, he’s been at Geelong, he’s been at Port Adelaide.

“He was heading back to Melbourne and was going to play some VFL footy, had an opportunity to train on with the Blues and they’ve signed him. So it’s a great story.

“But why did they get rid of Matt Owies? Is their salary cap that hard up that they gave away Matt Owies, pretty much, to West Coast - a guy who has kicked 30-plus goals - to the point where they’ve had to absolutely scramble on February 20 and sign Francis Evans.

“Evans is nowhere near the player Owies is. Is their salary cap bursting that hard that they’ve had to save a couple of hundred thousand dollars on paying Owies versus Evans when Owies is the far superior footballer?”

Co-host David King does not share Cornes’ opinion of Owies.

It sparked a debate between the pair relating to the 27-year-old who played 72 games and kicked 89 goals in the navy blue as opposed to Evans’ 22 goals in 34 games for two clubs.

King: “Where would Owies rank in the small forwards of the competition? Would he be in the top 30?”

Cornes: “He’s the best one at Carlton.

“To answer your question - How many small forwards kicked 30-plus goals?

“Lachie Schultz didn’t kick 30 and what did Collingwood pay to get him. I think Owies brought everything to Carlton that Schultz brought to Collingwood.”

King: “I don’t think Owies puts on forward pressure.”

Cornes: “I think he’s a fire starter for them, I think he’s an important psychological player for the Blues.

“At times when Carlton were under the pump, Owies kicked goals, he’s giving it to the crowd, his teammates rally around him.

“He’d be in the top 30 small forwards. Would he be in the top 10? No, but he’s the best at Carlton. Jesse Motlop will be the best small forward at the Blues but right now Owies would be the best they’ve got.

“They’ve given him away for nothing really and they’ve scrambled to sign Francis Evans who has had a crack at Geelong and wasn’t quite up to it. He had a crack at Port Adelaide and played in their three finals last year.

“Despite the fact it’s a great romantic story and he’s a great kid - I love all of that, the resilience factor behind it - he’s not as good as Owies.

“I’m not suggesting Owies is a star, I’m suggesting he’s better than Francis Evans and he’d be Carlton’s best small forward. And in late February they’re scrambling to sign a small forward when they had one.”

The Owies trade, which also involved Richmond, did however land the Blues Pick 3 which they used on highly rated midfielder Jagga Smith.

Evans will wear the number 44 jumper which was vacated by Owies when he made the move to West Coast in the trade period.