Brisbane Lions midfielder Allen Christensen finally fit again after horror run with injury

FORGOTTEN Brisbane Lion Allen Christensen has returned for pre-season training early boasting a bulked-up frame as he aims to play his first match since 2016 after a shocking run with injury.

Allen Christensen in action during a pre-season training session. Picture: lions.com.au

THE Lions player who encounters Allen Christensen in the season’s first contact drill might want to proceed with caution — for their sake, not his.

And not because after two years ruined by shoulder injuries the midfielder has decided to add considerable bulk to his frame.

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The 26-year-old, who spent the annual end-of-season break training by himself and returned to action this week with the first-to-fourth-year players, says he is ready to “rock and roll” and is keenly awaiting the first chance to crack into a contest and put any doubts he or any coaches or teammates may have to bed once and for all.

Christensen has not played an AFL game since Round 11, 2016 after breaking his collarbone and is basically a new recruit for coach Chris Fagan alongside new faces Charlie Cameron and Luke Hodge.

He was all set to return for the 2017 season when a training accident cracked the plate that had been surgically inserted to strengthen his collarbone.

Allen Christensen in action during a pre-season training session. Picture: lions.com.au

On his return from surgery he sat down with the club’s medical team where it was decided he would increase his size as another layer of protection against re-injuring himself.

He had added about five kilograms of muscle when he returned to full training late last season with the NEAFL side and was fit to play in their finals campaign if he had been eligible.

“I’ve been jumping into the gym a fair bit, just trying to build up the strength,’’ he said.

“I don’t know that I need it desperately, but just for my own sanity after a couple of tough years with injury, I am building myself up a bit.’’

The 2011 Geelong premiership player spent the year working with Lions’ NEAFL coach Mitch Hahn who gave him the responsibility of manning the phone and delivering messages to players on the bench as they came off the ground.

Allen Christensen has not played since mid-2016. Picture: Getty

“Being injured has been frustrating, but I have been able to develop myself in other areas,’’ he said.

“I was involved with the NEAFL a lot, I was lucky enough Mitch had enough trust in me to have the first crack at the boys as they came off the ground.

“I have ambitions to be a coach in some capacity so I have really enjoyed that.

“But in saying that I am here to play footy, not to help the NEAFL coach.’’

He was also influential in advancing Brisbane’s work in the indigenous space driving the partnership the club formed with Deadly Choices, which encourages kids to make healthier choices with their diet.

“The club knew we were lacking in that area and it has been great to be able to put more time into it and sign on with Deadly Choices,’’ he said.

“It is about encouraging kids to drink water not soft drink and to eat better and we provide education on the dangers of smoking.’’