Team of the Decade: Lauren ‘Lozz’ Thompson
The next entry into our Women’s Team of the Decade is Lauren ‘Lozz’ Thompson!
Lozz has been a force to be reckoned with since arriving at the club from the home of football, Sheffield, in 2014 and we’ve been picking out our favourite Yorkshire accented words and phrases ever since! A forward with endless energy and a rocket of a shot, she’s been destroying opposition defensive efforts for the past 6 seasons and continues to be an integral cog in the State 1 team, chipping in the winning goal of the State League 1 grand final last year to ensure a winning end to the season and bragging rights for the best state league team in Victoria!
Lozz is the fearless leader of the State 1 team and has captained the team in 4 of the 6 seasons she’s been with us. She was awarded the Ford-Fenwick Cup for Best & Fairest in 2016 and was runner up Best and Fairest in 2017 and 2018, illustrating the consistently high level she performs at, and the level of respect she has from her teammates.
Lozz has an incredibly high work rate, tons of commitment and a healthy desire for spectacular goals – of which there have been many! Ultra-competitive and so strong on the ball, she plays with an intensity that rubs off on the rest of us and she leaves everything on the field. Lozz loves to see her teammates succeed – genuinely valuing the effort and contribution of everyone, and acknowledging the contributions that would often otherwise go unnoticed – this is one of her great leadership qualities that enables everyone in the team to feel valued and confident that they play a role. These standards extend to the training pitch too where she always gives 100%, motivating the rest of us to do the same – attempting to keep up with Lozz in training is the best match prep!
It’s a pleasure to walk onto the field with Lozz, you know she’s going to give everything for the team and she’s always got your back. She’s a wonderful teammate, a fantastic person and an exemplary club person. Love your work, Lozz!
-Nicola Vincent