Lions star Jarrod Berry admits West Coast forward Oscar Allen would be a ‘great addition’ to Brisbane’s line-up

Lions star Jarrod Berry likes the thought of Oscar Allen leaving the West Coast Eagles to join Brisbane.

West Coast star Oscar Allen looms as a “great addition” to Brisbane’s line-up should the Lions be successful in luring the Eagles forward to Queensland next season.

The Lions have reportedly held talks with Allen, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025 season.

Allen is being regarded as the long-term replacement for the mercurial Joe Daniher, who retired after Brisbane’s premiership win last season.

“I’d love to see it happen,” Lions star Jarrod Berry said about Allen’s possible switch to the Lions next season.

“He’s a superstar guy and has great leadership attributes from what I’ve heard and seen.

“He’d be a great addition, but … we’ll leave that up to the list manager.

“We’ll worry about winning football games.”

The Lions are keen on the services of West Coast forward Oscar Allen. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Berry’s focus was on the players who will this season attempt to fill the void left by Daniher, including off-season recruit Sam Day, Logan Morris and versatile ruckman Darcy Fort as well as Darcy Gardiner and Linc McCarthy, who will both return from long-term knee injuries.

“They’ve all impressed me. Sammy Day came from Gold Coast and probably hadn’t had too much of a run with injuries, and … he’s starting to put together a full pre-season. He’s going super well,” Berry said.
“Logan’s developing unbelievably. He’s showing great leadership, and I feel like he’s going to take the next step again this year.

“‘Forty’ can play ruck, can play forward, can do everything. He’s been leading the boys on the track, and really pushing the standard.

“Not to forget ‘Dizzy’ Gardiner and Linc McCarthy. Those guys are good on the ground and overhead, so we’ve got a plethora of options.

“There is a big hole where Joey left, but I’m really confident that we’ve got the development and the natural growth of our list is going to be able to adapt to it.

“It’s definitely sharing the load. We certainly know that, and that’s what our club’s built on.

“We’re about sharing the load and making sure everyone’s equal and given the same output.”

Lions star Jarrod Berry says Oscar Allen would be a ‘great addition’ to Brisbane’s team. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

However, Berry admitted the Lions would miss Daniher, both on and off the field.

“Joe’s a special footballer and you probably don’t come across guys like that very often in your career,” he said.

“I’m so lucky that I was actually able to play with him. I look back on my career, and I identify guys like that, just the ability for him to win games off his own boot.

“We probably own the premiership to Joey slotting that goal against GWS (in last year’s semi-final).”

Originally published as Lions star Jarrod Berry admits West Coast forward Oscar Allen would be a ‘great addition’ to Brisbane’s line-up