Kane Evans says he wants to prove his worth to the Warriors as he prepares to make his club debut in their Friday night NRL clash with Manly.
Evans joined the Warriors this season after three years with Parramatta which followed a three-year stint with the Sydney Roosters.
Named on the bench for the Central Coast Stadium clash, Evans’ debut is well-timed given the knee injury suffered by Addin Fonua-Blake, who may be out for more than two months.
Evans described ex-Sea Eagle Fonua-Blake as “like a one-man team” but was excited for his chance after getting back to full fitness after his own knee injury.
He had a run with Warriors feeder club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup but when COVID-19 interrupted that, got a game with Newcastle’s NSW Cup side last week, with the 29-year-old declaring he was good to go.
“There’s a lot of emotions going through me at the moment, I’m excited to be able to represent the Warriors,” Evans said.
“It wasn’t the best start to the season for me individually being injured, but it’s a long season and I can’t wait to prove I’m a good investment for this club.”
Evans said he’d adapted his playing style, with a new defensive mindset which is sure to help out the Warriors’ in the absence of Fonua-Blake.
“I used to be an attacking-based player but I’ve really changed the way I think,” he said.
“I just want to try and get the boys up in line-speed and marker play and bring that energy in defence.
“Everyone can attack but to change it to a defensive mindset is really hard.
“You’ve got to be more selfless and worry about the hard things that people don’t really realise… put away the breaks and the hitting lines and the selfish sort of superstar plays which we just leave to the backs.
“We’ve got enough strike power to do that, I just do my job.”