Carrying expectations big enough to match his 192cm frame, the development of towering Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans is starting to pay off for Trent Robinson's men following his career-best performance against the Rabbitohs in last week.
Eased into first grade last season, after injury and the Roosters' second-tier salary cap woes denied him his debut 12 months prior, Evans racked up nine games over the course of the Roosters' run to third place.
After a strenuous pre-season, Evans will play his third game of the new campaign in Monday night's showdown with the Panthers after producing 98 metres and four tackle busts in a 19-minute stint against the reigning premiers last Sunday.
"South Sydney were tough. They were really strong and it was disappointing to come away with the loss," Evans told NRL.com.
"It was alright to show a few of them up at one point in the game when I made a few breaks and there's plenty of improvement that I can take away from the game which I'm looking forward to working with.
"I'm blessed to be surrounded by such a great coaching staff so they are guiding me in the right direction and I'm happy. I gain confidence from Robbo that he's included me and he trusts me from all the hard work I did over pre-season."
Evans knows he needs to continue to perform if he is to keep his place in Robinson's best 17, with the likes of veterans Willie Manu and Lagi Setu as well as former Sea Eagles under-20s prop Magnus Stromquist pushing hard for a first-grade spot while playing for the Wyong Roos.
"The boys in NSW Cup teach me so much about my own game and they help me along the way so it's a confidence boost but it also keeps me on my toes because I don't know when Robbo will give them the call-up," Evans said.
"I need to work on my defence, it's my main aim, and I can also get better with what I'm good at like my running so I just need to focus on turning up every weekend and putting on a show."
Star teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a huge Evans fan and loves playing besides the Leichhardt Wanderers junior.
After re-signing for a further two seasons last week, Waerea-Hargreaves is particularly excited to hang around and see how the young Roosters crop aim up in the coming years.
"He has speed, he has size, he has the aggression and when he finds that right balance in which he's doing then the sky is the limit for that kid," Waerea-Hargreaves said of Evans.
"He's young, he's raw and getting out there and trying to do what's best for the team which is exciting. I love watching Kane play."
