Victorian AFL Draft talent pathway pay tribute to much-loved trainer Kevin Evans after his death

The Geelong Falcons have rallied together after the death of their trainer. And he will be missed for much more than the dedicated care he gave to the players.

Kevin Evans has passed away, aged 62.

Vic Country and Geelong Falcons head coach Paul Corrigan said Kevin Evans is “irreplaceable” figure for the Falcons and Vic Country programs after his sudden death last week at the age of 62.

Evans was a much-loved member of the AFL draft talent pathway community, working for over 30 years as a trainer with the Bendigo Pioneers, Gippsland Power and Geelong Falcons.

He was with the Falcons for four seasons has worked with the Vic Country program since 2017, working closely with Corrigan who has been heavily involved in both through his coaching roles.

The dedicated Evans is a life member with the Bendigo Pioneers, having joined them in the 1990s, before working with the Gippsland Power for close to a decade.

Corrigan said the Falcons community has rallied together to support each other after the tragic death of a charismatic man who connected with players and staff alike.

Evans was far more than a trainer to Corrigan, with the thoughtful and reliable staffer contributing so much more than his job description.

Kevin Evans spent four seasons with the Geelong Falcons. Picture: Supplied

“He will be massively missed, he is sort of irreplaceable to tell you the truth. What he does is more than just being a head trainer. A man of many sort of talents, ‘Mr Fix It’, spent a lot of time with him in at the club at trainings. Super organised, I never had to worry about from a Falcons perspective that medical side about what’s coming to training and what is being prepared.

“He was just always more than happy to jump into any program to help out in any way he could. It’s really hard to find these days and so that’s where we’re going to really miss his personality as well and how he was around people, a very affectionate person in the person in the sense that you wanted to be around him.

“I think a lot of people connected really strongly when they crossed paths with him as well and really one of those unfortunate things that’s happened.

It’s going to be tough to us to move on and it will probably impact people in different ways at different times as well but I really love the Falcons community and how they have banded together really strongly and staff and players have been super at the moment.

“Obviously it will be a bit tough when we come back, next week when we get the whole playing group back, but hopefully we can just move forward and remember Kev in the positive ways we experienced.”

Evans called a spade a spade, and Corrigan loved his chats and strong opinions on footy.

Sometimes Evans would even be spotted chatting about the next generation of young talent with AFL recruiters.

“He came to me with opinions on football which I loved, at games you’d sometimes see him sitting with recruiters and having a chat about players as well,” Corrigan said with a laugh.

“He loved to tell a story, he loved to listen to your stories. He was a bit black and white, he was very honest which I really enjoyed and I sort of saw him as a bit of an elder statesman at the Falcons that I could have some good chats to.

“He was a very social person, he loved to have a joke and at times would take the mickey out of himself as well as others so just created a really nice environment when he was part of the Falcons and part of Vic Country.”

Corrigan said the Falcons will pay tribute to Evans with details to follow once the Coates Talent League fixture is announced.

Gippsland Power talent manager Scott McDougal, who spent close to a decade with Evans at the Power, said the stalwart will be sorely missed.

“He could always have a joke and a laugh but he was very self-effacing, just humble what he did and very professional. It wasn’t about being a knockabout, there was always some fun to be had, but it was making sure the kids got the best care that they could possibly get,” McDougal said.

“I’m going to miss the fact that whenever I go to a footy game anywhere, Vic Country or anything like that, Kev would be on the sidelines.

“He was a constant. He was a constant in the talent pathway since I walked in around 2009. He has been either at our club or we have ran into him.

“It’s a pretty tight family, it is a different sort of competition. We are all out to get the best for each other as well as our own clubs so we celebrate everyone’s successes and we are all hurting at this time.

“(Trainers) are such caring people for everyone elses concerns … The amount of time they spend caring for other people can’t be underestimated.

“He was always a positive person around the players and around the staff, it is just a tragedy.”

McDougall said the devoted Evans would always put up his hand up to help out and thoroughly enjoyed helping the next generation thrive.

“I reckon if you asked him, the easy part is the work. The easy part of footy is showing up and watching the kids get better,” McDougal said.

“The challenging moments, the distance and all the travel you do as a person, but Kev would say there’s definitely more licks of the ice cream for us than there are kicks in the bums, whereas for the players it is probably a bit different. We get to watch all their successes and all their growth.”

A celebration of Evans’ life will be held on Thursday at the All Seasons in Bendigo, started from 2pm.

And there is sure to be smiles despite his sad passing, with guests encouraged to “channel their inner Kev”.

“The celebration will be an uplifting event, sharing tall tales, just as Kev would want (and was particularly good at himself). As Kev was always a “walking fashion statement:, we encourage everyone to channel their inner Kev. No Black clothing please, we want to see Kev’s favourite things, such as Crocs, sports apparel, zinc cream, overalls or shirts with spilt food down the front,” the invitation read.

Originally published as Victorian AFL Draft talent pathway pay tribute to much-loved trainer Kevin Evans after his death