WOOF welcomes Lachie Jaques to the Whitten Oval

[bulldogtragic]

Welcome young fella.

[hujsh]

Richards replacement (in his defender role)?

[GVGjr]

That was a bit of a surprise. Nice selection though.

[GVGjr]

SNAPSHOT: “A dashing rebound defender full of flair with daring run-and-carry, and spring heeled intercept marking.” – Michael Alvaro

Lachie Jaques has been one of this year’s genuine draft bolters, both figuratively and literally. The Geelong Falcons co-captain is his region’s leading prospect in 2024 on the back of a campaign where he was named in the bests for 12 of his 14 games. What’s more, he led his team to the minor premiership alongside best mate, Brady Hall.

While the 184cm defender has shown marked improvement this year, he has long been part of the top rung of the Victorian talent pathway. Jaques represented Vic Country at the Under 16 National Championships in 2022, going on to become an All Australian at Under 18 level this year. He was also named in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

Jaques and the Falcons earned automatic finals qualification in 2024, but ultimately were bundled out by eventual Grand Finalist, Greater Western Victoria (GWV). The upset result was a direct flip of 2023’s elimination final boilover, where the Falcons toppled the Rebels at GMHBA Stadium. Jaques wasn’t afield that day having earlier suffered a broken hand.

His injury setback paved the way for improvement, most notably adding strength to his frame and building a solid fitness base before heading into the off-season. There remains room for growth, but Jaques’ flair from defence has catapulted him into draft contention, as Geelong’s lone National Draft Combine invitee.

[Scraggers]

I like this pick. Clean hands, good decision maker. If we can get some pace into his legs, he’s a great replacement for JJ

[Testekill]

I think we're going to be constantly misspelling his surname. No C in it.

Happy with him and a role that we needed.

[kruder]

He looks good in the air too.

[Eastdog]

JJ type vibes.

Nice pick up.

Welcome Lachie.

[GVGjr]

Biography
Small midfielder/forward with dazzling pace and clean hands who is very damaging by foot. A very team-oriented and creative player, he averaged 13 disposals in three matches for Victoria Metro despite limited midfield minutes. He averaged 19.8 disposals at 78 per cent efficiency with the Sandringham Dragons in five Coates Talent League matches this year. A premiership player with the Dragons in 2023, a knee injury curtailed his 2024 season and saw him miss the finals series this year. Did not test at the Draft Combine due to that knee injury.

[Testekill]

That was a bit of a surprise. Nice selection though.

If we had traded down with Port or Essendon then I was expecting him at about 39 or thereish. Once you hit pick 30 you're not really reaching that much.

[GVGjr]

A medium defender who showed the great ability to read cues to intercept mark then use the ball with precision on the rebound. He averaged 16.2 disposals at 78.5 per cent efficiency and 4.8 marks for Victoria Country at the National Championships and won All Australian honours, with his composure a feature of his play. Was a dominant player as captain of the Geelong Falcons, averaging 23 disposals in 14 matches and capped his year with selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. His time of 6:36 in the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine was a strong indication of his endurance.

[hujsh]

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/lachie-jaques/

STRENGTHS:
+ Competitiveness
+ Consistency
+ Intercept marking
+ Kicking
+ Rebounding

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure
- Strength


Jaques is a joy to watch in full flight and can just about do it all down back. He is often entrusted with the kick-in duties and distributes the ball beautifully. It's no wonder, then, that he opted to go by foot with 16.9 of his average 22.6 disposals this Coates Talent League season. He is polished too, going at 78 per cent disposal efficiency during the National Championships.


There is good variety to Jaques' kicking, able to launch the ball long or pick out short targets with exceptional vision. The latter method sees him either be adventurous with inboard passes, or run hard to follow up and get the ball back. Either way, Jaques is capable of gaining quick metres and sparking daring transitional play by taking the game on.


A key facet of Jaques' positional versatility is his ability to play deep or high in defence. On the last line, he mops up the spills and quickly relieves pressure with his ball use, seemingly always getting to the height or fall of the contest. Beyond defensive 50 he charges forward with repeat running spurts, and peels off to intercept with genuine bravery and flair.


While still relatively lightly framed, Jaques is willing to put his body on the line when flying for overhead marks. His best grabs come when jumping over the back of opponents, and he averaged six marks per game in Falcons colours. He also applies himself in a tackling sense, though can still build some strength to stick them more consistently.


Further filling out his 184cm frame will allow Jaques to hold his composure more consistently under physical pressure. He has the capacity to quickly identify and hit up targets by hand and foot, but is sometimes rushed into dumping the ball long with oncoming heat or when streaming forward at full tilt. It will also aid his improved intercept marking game.


In terms of overall consistency, though, Jaques seldom fails to perform. He was recognised as one of the Falcons' best six players in all bar two of his 14 appearances this season, and started the campaign with five disposal hauls of 25 or more in his first seven outings. That kind of output, on top of his evolution as a player, made him a reliable figure in his role.




Jaques is the top prospect out of the Geelong region this year, so will inevitably draw links to the Cats’ program. The other 17 clubs have also been taking note, especially after his All Australian National Championships campaign. Jaques offers great versatility as a medium defender, able to impact going both ways and displaying a strong rate of improvement this year. He has a good all-round athletic base, and co-captaincy at the Falcons is another feather in his well-brimmed cap. Jaques should feature somewhere in the second to third round of the draft after an outstanding top-age season – it’s a very even and vastly talented crop, though.

[Testekill]

Cats are probably furious that he didn't slide to 42

[bulldogtragic]

Cats are probably furious that he didn't slide to 42

I hope they are.

[Eastdog]

Cats are probably furious that he didn't slide to 42

Small payback for trade period