Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie Jaques says the late Kevin Evans would be proud of Falcons draft haul

Tragedy rocked the Geelong Falcons program before the season, but the year finished with a handful of Falcons reaching the big time. And this Western Bulldogs draftee was central to it.

Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie Jaques believes the late Kevin Evans, a long-time contributor to the Coates Talent League, would be proud of the Geelong Falcons’ 2024 draft haul.

Evans’ tragic death at the age of 62 in January rocked the Victorian talent pathway, where he had worked with the Bendigo Pioneers, Gippsland Power and finally the Geelong Falcons and Vic Country.

Geelong Falcons and Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan described Evans as “irreplaceable” following his passing.

As co-captains of the Geelong Falcons, Jaques and his best mate Brady Hall led the club through a difficult time, helping them finish on top of the Coates Talent League ladder.

Jaques, a rebounding halfback, was taken with the second pick on the second night of the AFL Draft by the Bulldogs, with Falcons small forward River Stevens, son of Roos champion Anthony, joining North Melbourne as a father-son later on that night.

Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie Jaques in his new colours. Picture: Western Bulldogs

Midfielder-forward Xavier Ivisic and ruckman Joe Pike were picked from their hometown club Geelong in the rookie draft on Friday, while powerful forward Will McLachlan joined Brisbane as a rookie through the mid-season draft earlier this year.

Evans would jokingly claim players he had worked with along the journey – such as West Coast No. 1 pick Harley Reid and Richmond great Dustin Martin – so Jaques is sure he would be full pride seeing five Falcons join the AFL ranks.

Endless run and carry, and strong in the air 🪽

Looking forward to more of this from Lachie Jaques. pic.twitter.com/np0c5cCINJ

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) November 21, 2024

“We were actually talking about Kev at (Falcons) presentation night. He loves to take ownership of the boys who get drafted, who he’s worked with,” Jaques said.

“That was a funny side of Kev, so I’m sure we’ve all made him proud. Definitely always thinking about him, as we did all the way through the year.

“There’s lot of stories, he’s worked with great players. Dusty Martin and Harley Reid, he took ownership for Harley for how high (he went) and how good he was.

“I think he even made a team of the players he’s worked with. He’s put up a team and it’s a pretty good team. Just loves it Kev, and hopefully we’ve all made him proud.”

Kevin Evans died in January. Picture: AFL Photos

Unlike Martin and Reid, Jaques wasn’t highly touted this time 12 months ago as a hand injury sidelined him at the end of his bottom-age season.

But a big pre-season from the 184cm interceptor saw him thrive, improving his standing as the season went on and earning a spot in the U18 All-Australian team.

The Western Bulldogs had interviewed him twice in the lead-up but he felt he was more of a chance later on.

There was a big reaction from the Jaques household with his extended family and a handful of his best mates celebrating the moment with him.

“Parked ourselves at the couch thinking we’re going to be in for a long night but two picks into the night, name got read out which was bloody awesome,” Jaques said.

“They just went wild. Plenty of tears, plenty of joy, like the whole lot. It was all happening.

“Realistically 12 months ago I probably would have thought I might scrape in late in the draft or as a rookie or something.

“But I just got to work and didn’t really want to regret anything, so to go in the first half of the draft is just unbelievable.

“I guess it doesn’t really matter where you go in the draft – if you get picked up, you get picked up. So that was the main thing and I was rapt with 29.”

Lachie Jaques was one of five Falcons taken across the year. Picture: Scott Sidley/AFL Photos

The St Mary’s product was flooded with messages from Bulldogs players, but a couple stood out.

“Receiving a call from Luke Beveridge and a message from Bontempelli was pretty special,” Jaques said.

“Playing with the best player in the comp pretty much, Bont is going to be nice to meet and to get to know.”

He will officially begin his AFL journey on Monday alongside his Vic Country teammate Cooper Hynes, Sandringham Dragons duo Josh Dolan and Luke Kennedy, and VFL young player of the year Sam Davidson.

Jaques can’t wait to get started and hopes to channel his All-Australian teammate Bailey Dale.

“I’ve actually always looked up to Bailey,” Jaques said.

“I love the way he goes about it and he’s been in the league for a while, so I’ll get in, pick his brain. It’s going to be great to work with him.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie Jaques says the late Kevin Evans would be proud of Falcons draft haul