‘Embarrassed and ashamed’: Skipper speaks out on trade saga

West Coast Eagles captain Oscar Allen has spoken out for the first time after he was caught having a meeting with a rival coach.

Oscar Allen has spoken out for the first time in the wake of his meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

The West Coast Eagles co-captain met with Mitchell in news that blindsided the club and sparked fierce backlash among the footy community.

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

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

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

“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.

Oscar Allen addressed the rival meeting saga.

“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.”

The Eagles remain winless in 2025. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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 ‘Embarrassed and ashamed’: Skipper speaks out on trade saga