STRENGTHS:

+ Reading the play
+ Positioning
+ Intercept marking
+ Penetrating kick
+ Footy IQ
+ Agility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- One-on-ones
- Endurance

PROFILE:

Lou-Lou Field has provided a calming influence on the Western Jets defence over the past three years since bursting onto the scene as a double bottom-ager on-field. She played in a premiership that year, and while her side has struggled more since, Field has done well to juggle her school (Geelong Grammar) and club commitments the past two seasons.

Without a doubt the greatest parts in her game centre around being behind the ball and reading the play like a book. Her understanding of where to be and how to position herself to best intercept is evident in the way she can peel off her opponent and either get front and centre, or time her leap to perfection. She does not necessarily provide a huge vertical jump like some more athletic defenders, but her timing is impeccable and quite often she will outmark others who can jump higher due to said timing.

More than a few times Field will be amongst a pack of players who outsize her - she stands at 167cm - but is able to jump at just the right moment to clunk the mark. Her hands are strong as well, which usually sees her pull the ball down confidently in one grab. Field is also able to get it done in both contested and uncontested situations.

The Western Jets skipper is a well-measured user of the football, with her penetrating left boot a hallmark of her game. At times when she goes for the high-risk, high-reward kick it can backfire, but she is so good at winning the ball back, she will often intercept a second or third time, or lay a crucial tackle. While looking a touch rusty when returning from injury for Vic Metro at the national championships, Field adapted well and was able to thwart a stack of forward forays from reigning champions South Australia in a high pressure first quarter.

Field does win a lot of touches from her intercept marking and also from taking kick outs thanks to her ability to thump the ball long down the ground clearing the immediate danger. Though left-side dominant, Field ensures she can get to her preferred foot as much as possible, and with a fantastic ability to evade opponents, she is no stranger to stepping around someone to gain extra metres and swing back onto her left.

For a player who made her name as a long kick from defence, only 25.6 per cent of her kicks at Coates Talent League Girls level were long, and she won almost half of her possessions (47.1 per cent) at groundlevel which again was quite impressive for a traditional aerial player.

Field does need to further develop her one-on-one ability and physicality that comes with that. She is so adept at peeling off and intercepting, or timing her jump right to mark, but when engaged in a wrestle, that is not as much her go. She will always compete, but against bigger bodies can be outmuscled, with her preference much more likely to jump and intercept.

A Collingwood fan, Field looks to emulate Nick Daicos when at half-back with his work rate and understanding of the game, while also wanting to build her endurance. Right now her aerobic capacity is an area that can be further improved, though given the interruptions throughout the last 18 months, she should just need a clean run and a full preseason to build it up.

Overall, Field might be limited to that one role of rebounding out of defence, but she has spent time in patches up the field. Her best position is being a third tall who can read the play superbly and send the ball back in transition, keeping speed on the ball at all times.