GIVEN the Sydney Swans recently celebrated 30 years in the Harbour City, there has been much reminiscing about South Melbourne's tumultuous move north for the 1982 VFL season.

One man who was caught in the middle of the saga was rover Bernie Evans, who is profiled in the latest episode of the regular AFL.com.au series, Life After Footy.

"At the end of the day, when the people voted to go to Sydney, I was happy with whatever decision they made," Evans said.

"But, personally, I would rather they'd stayed in South Melbourne."

These days Evans is a successful businessman. He's also a part-owner of the Cricketers Arms, a classic inner-suburban pub that's located in Port Melbourne, not far from where he's lived for most of his life.

Zoned to South Melbourne, Evans made his debut with the Swans in 1978. By the time the club relocated, he was an integral part of its senior team.

"I moved to Sydney for the first year, then I came back to Melbourne because my wife was pregnant," Evans recalled.

"Rick Quade was the coach at the time and he didn't mind me coming back. It meant I could help guide the reserves, who were still based in Melbourne.

"I used to fly up to Sydney on Friday afternoons and train with the seniors on the Friday night.

"I'd play the game on the Sunday afternoon, then most of the time I'd fly back Sunday night."

Not that the situation affected his football. Evans won the Swans' 1984 best and fairest while living in Melbourne.

That year he booted a career-high nine goals against St Kilda at Moorabbin in the opening game of the season.

When Tom Hafey took over as Swans coach for the 1986 season, he decreed that all the players had to reside in Sydney, so Evans quit the club and joined Carlton.

He played for the Blues in the '86 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn, but missed their victory over the Hawks in the 1987 decider due to suspension.

Evans still keeps an eye on Carlton's progress, but his heart remains with the Swans.

"I was at the 2005 Grand Final," he said. "It was fantastic for the club and they really deserved their success."