West Coast recruit Jack Graham says Eagles players have no issue with Oscar Allen despite his meeting with Hawthorn

After being forced to publicly apologise for meeting a rival club, West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen has not lost the support of his teammates.

Embattled West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen remains a “great leader” and has the support of his playing group despite revelations of a meeting with Hawthorn and reports he was asked to step down from his captaincy role.

Jack Graham, who joined the Eagles after playing in three premierships with Richmond, said Allen’s teammates were unmoved by revelations of a meeting with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell as he weighs up his future.

Last week, Allen made a public apology and said he was “embarrassed” and “remorseful” after fronting up to the players with unconfirmed reports that club chief executive Don Pyke asked him to step down from the captaincy.

Out of contract West Coast captain Oscar Allen addresses the media after calls to step down over a meeting with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell

The Eagles went on to be smashed by GWS last week and remain winless through four rounds of the season.

But Graham was adamant there were no lingering issues with Allen, and his meeting with Hawthorn was part of the modern game, he said.

“We just get around him. He’s a great person, a great teammate and we love him,” Graham said on Tuesday.

“That stuff always happens in football and as long as we’re there as a football club and mates to support him, that’s the main thing.

“We back Oscar in. He’s our teammate, he’s a great friend, he’s a great leader.

“We’ll just put our arms around him and support him, and that’s all we can do.”

Graham said the club’s leaders were working hard to turn West Coast’s fortunes around and would not be sidetracked by off-field issues as pressure mounts on the underperforming club.

“Everyone’s got their say. They can say whatever they want,” he said.

“As a leadership group, we come together, we try our arses off.

“We’ll reunite with the group, the younger group and lead from the front.”

West Coast's Oscar Allen (right) is a ‘great leader’, teammates say. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Outgoing AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh was asked about the Allen coverage on Tuesday morning and said the forward “has every right” to talk to Hawthorn as a free agent.

“I think that’s an issue in my view that’s been blown completely out of proportion,” Marsh said.

“If anyone thinks players aren’t doing this all the time, and clubs more importantly, then they don’t understand what’s going on.

“I don’t think we’re seeing clubs critical here because they’re taking part in it, the players understand this is what’s going on.

“Typically what happens is players don’t start talking to clubs if they’re not being looked after at their club with the right offer.

“Without knowing the ins and outs of that, I think he had every right to go and talk to another club.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to leave West Coast, I think that’s something everyone needs to get their head around, it’s appropriate that he’s exploring what’s out there.”

Originally published as West Coast recruit Jack Graham says Eagles players have no issue with Oscar Allen despite his meeting with Hawthorn