EFL 2019: Brendan Allen re-signs at Blackburn for a further two years

Blackburn mentor Brendan Allen has set down his goals for the EFL Premier Division club after putting pen to paper on a contract extension.

Blackburn coach Brendan Allen will attempt to deliver the Burners their first EFL top-flight flag after re-signing with the Premier Division club for a further two years.

Allen’s extension was announced on the weekend, tying him to the club until the end of 2021.

This season is the first time in 50 years Blackburn has featured in three consecutive top-tier finals series.

The Burners have bowed out in the preliminary final for the past two seasons, including an extra-time defeat last year, and will meet Balwyn in the qualifying final on August 31.

The winner will advance to meet flag favourite Vermont in a semi-final for the chance to book the first spot in the grand final.

Blackburn was knocked out of last year’s flag race in extra-time in the preliminary final. Picture: James Ross/AAP

When asked if Blackburn could win a flag before his contract expires, Allen said: “That’s what they’re employing me to do.

“You’ve got to have a bit of luck. You’d hope that it happens this year but obviously there’s a team down the road that wears purple and gold (Vermont) that have probably got their claims on it at the moment.”

Allen signed at Morton Park ahead of the 2018 season after a stint as an assistant at VFL club Sandringham.

He said he had fallen in love with Blackburn’s community vibe.

“It’s the first club I’ve come across since I’ve been in the metro competition that feels like the country town of home,” he said.

“When I was growing up as a kid, footy in Lakes Entrance, the town stopped.

“The ground was full, you could shoot a cannon down the main street and you wouldn’t hit anyone.

“Everyone would be at the local footy and it’s a pretty similar thing to Blackburn where the whole community turns out every week.

“The support and feeling around the club, it’s not just about the two hours on a Saturday, it’s a lot more than that and that’s what it feels like for me.

“It was a pretty easy choice to put pen to paper.”

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Allen said the majority of the list would be retained for 2020 and the club could contend for its first premiership since 2002.

“We’re obviously in a bit of window of success at the moment,” he said.

“I’d say we’re going OK but we haven’t earnt any silverware or anything yet.

“We’ve got a list we think can challenge at least at some point. A lot of things have got to go right but the club is happy with me … the playing group ticked it all off as well.”

Blackburn meets Rowville at Seebeck Oval on Saturday.

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