Field finding his feet in Eagles’ finals charge

PATIENCE has paid off for Newtown & Chilwell’s Charlie Field, with the second year Eagle cementing his place in the senior side ahead of finals.

The wing-forward joined the club from Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season but spent his first year developing in the reserves before breaking into the senior team this year, where he has played 10 games.

Field said missing out on senior selection last season only strengthened his determination to earn a spot this year.

“When I moved down at the start of last year, it was probably a bit of a whirlwind,” he said.

“I was from the country, so I didn’t really know how to approach it.

“But Newtown were really welcoming and the boys there are great.

“It didn’t take me long to get settled into the community. It was probably more my footy that took a while to get going.

“I wanted to crack into the side last year but just couldn’t manage to do it. It probably gave me a bit more motivation, seeing as I moved down to Geelong for footy.”

Field said improvements in his strength, fitness and speed had helped him make the jump to senior football, but knew there was no room for complacency.

“You take it week by week,” he said. “You’re never really guaranteed a spot.

“I think all the boys know that.

“The main thing is just doing your role for the team and what the coaches ask of you.”

The Eagles now face a challenging finish to the home-and-away season after slipping to third following last weekend’s 8-point loss to St Joseph’s.

The run home includes matches against fellow finals contenders South Barwon and Bell Park.

Field said he and his teammates welcomed the challenge.

“From my point of view, you can’t really underestimate any team in the league,” he said. “They’re all competitors and they all bring a fight.

“Any game we play, it’s going to be a good test and a good lead-up to finals games where the intensity just goes up that extra bit.”

Newtown & Chilwell will host last-place North Shore at Elderslie Reserve this weekend.