‘Nonsense’: Coach drops twist in AFL storm, outs his own player

Cats coach Chris Scott has taken the rare step of outing one of his own stars as he told one group of players to “grow up”.

Cats coach Chris Scott has dropped another twist in the Oscar Allen storm, telling any aggrieved West Coast players to suck it up.

The Eagles captain has been widely criticised and offered a public apology to teammates after he was sprung meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

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On Thursday, Allen and the Eagles announced a snap press conference where the impending free agent addressed the saga.

The 26-year-old said he was left feeling “embarrassed” fronting up to the playing group and was “remorseful” to the club’s fans and staff.

Scott, however, says Allen has nothing to be sorry for.

The premiership-winning coach said it was “nonsense” for footy pundits, including James Hird, Scott Cummings and Rory Sloane, to suggest meeting with rival clubs was off-limits for captains of football clubs.

Allen had previously been linked with the Hawks and Brisbane Lions, with Channel 7 reporting the Lions are ready to make an offer significantly richer than what the Eagles have put on the table.

Chris Scott and Oscar Allen.

He said it would only be players from a previous era that have issues with Allen’s behaviour.

“Is it a good look? Oh well, the people who don’t like it I reckon don’t really understand the system that well,” he added.

“It’s probably good fodder, isn’t it. I would argue anyone who played footy before 2000 hates it and anyone who started playing footy after 2010 is probably okay with it.”

In a rare move, Scott outed one of his own players for a situation that played out behind the scenes last year.

Geelong star Tyson Stengle last year signed a five-year contract extension, reported to be worth $3.5 million.

It had been widely reported at the time that St Kilda had offered a monster six-year deal, reported to have been worth $4.5 million.

Scott on Thursday confirmed his star forward had met with Saints coach Ross Lyon during the season — and the 48-year-old mentor appeared to have no concerns over how the saga played out.

“Is the expectation at our club that Tyson comes to me and asks ‘is it OK’? No, of course not. You’re an individual and we accept that it’s happening,” Scott said.

Speaking in jest, Scott said: “Our preferred model is that we can speak to whichever players we want, but no one’s allowed to speak to ours. We just can’t get everyone to agree to that”.

He said criticism of players that choose to meet with rival clubs was outdated.

“I would counter, and I probably shouldn’t talk about West Coast players, but any West Coast player that’s got an issue with Oscar Allen should grow up,” he said.

“But sorry if that sounded harsh.”

West Coast presented a united front when Allen faced the cameras on Thursday.

“I just feel quite embarrassed and ashamed in front of the boys,” Allen said.

Oscar Allen addressed the rival meeting saga.

“Everyone here is working as hard as we can to achieve success and to get better every day.

“Clearly my actions have become a distraction this week, which is exactly what I don’t want for this playing group.

“I want us to get better, so I addressed that and am just looking forward to the challenge this week and what lies ahead.

“I just want to offer my sincere apologies over the embarrassment of what happened over the last few days and weeks.

“Clearly, the public nature and timing of what’s come out isn’t in the best interests of myself or the football club.

“I feel mostly remorseful towards our fans, players, support staff - I can’t imagine how you guys are feeling.”

Despite calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy, the club elected to stick by him with Allen defiant he was the right man to lead the team.

“I’m going to continue my role as co-captain alongside Liam Duggan this season. In conversations with people at the footy club, everyone feels like it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“I’m still really confident I’m the right man — alongside ‘Duggo’ — to take this club forward in achieving some real progress and success this year.”

Eagles head of football John Worsfold and Oscar.

With speculation still running rife over his playing future, Allen said he wanted to remain with the Eagles long-term, but wasn’t willing to divulge further information about his ongoing contract talk.

“I’m not going to get into specifics. That is between the club and my management,” he said.

“I’m not really in the nitty gritty of that, to be honest.

“Obviously I do love this footy club and I’m really looking forward to playing the rest of this season.

“We’re probably a little bit out of form as a side and need a response this weekend.”

Eagles head of football John Worsfold said the saga hadn’t been a distraction for the playing group as they prepare for a daunting road trip to face GWS and chase their first win of the season.

“The distraction wasn’t really on our playing group,” he said.

“There was a lot of public and member talk about it, but the players have been supportive of Oscar all the way through the week, not just today.”

The Eagles will take on the Giants on Sunday at Engie Stadium in Sydney from 1:10pm.

Originally published as ‘Nonsense’: Coach drops twist in AFL storm, outs his own player