Brisbane’s pursuit of Oscar Allen examined: Could West Coast actually part ways with co-captain?
It’s a strange statement to attach to the co-captain of a bottom-four club, but Oscar Allen needs the struggling Eagles more than they need him, writes ELIZA REILLY.
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Oscar Allen needs West Coast more than West Coast needs Oscar Allen.
It’s a strange statement to attach to the current co-captain of a bottom-four club. But the Eagles need to be realistic.
Reigning premier Brisbane is understood to have identified the key forward as a free agency target as it plans for life after Joe Daniher. Other clubs are bound to ramp up their pitches the longer Allen remains unsigned.
This masthead reported in November that West Coast is willing to offer a medium-term after being burnt by a series of long-term contracts. Allen would prefer a six or seven-year deal.
Put simply, the Eagles would love to retain Allen but it has to be on their terms, putting West Coast in the driver’s seat.
The 25-year-old is a popular figure at the club.
He once said on the Eagles’ in-house podcast that he’d only ever play for West Coast or West Perth, his original WAFL club. He wants to stay and he’s spoken publicly about his commitment to seeing out the rebuild.
That’s what makes Allen’s situation unique.
While he’d no doubt love to lead West Coast to its next premiership after being named an emergency in 2018, his willingness to recommit doesn’t hinge on the Eagles improving.
This appears to be a decision forged in security.
Allen missed 14 weeks last year with a knee injury he suffered in round one. He returned to play the last 10 games of the season but it’s believed that he will have to manage the joint for the remainder of his career.
He missed the entire 2022 season due to a nagging foot injury and Allen has also battled shoulder issues across the course of his 93-game career.
At best, Allen’s injury history is a pertinent consideration given the length of deal he is chasing. At worst, it’s a worry.
In his absence, Jake Waterman enjoyed a breakout season, kicking 53 goals in 20 games to earn All-Australian selection. The problem is that they both play their best football as a deep, leading forward.
In the 10 games Allen and Waterman played together, they both were multiple goalkickers in just four of them.
It’s obviously a small sample size and new coach Andrew McQualter would no doubt have a strategy in mind to accommodate both big men, even though they’ve notably been playing on opposite teams during recent match simulation.
But that’s not to mention the plethora of young key forwards the Eagles will have soon have banging down the door.
Jack Williams looks set to take the next step after holding Jack Darling out of the team at stages last year. Archer Reid has been one of the most talked-up players this pre-season. Jobe Shanahan was a steal at pick 30 in the draft.
Key forwards are a crucial part of any successful AFL team but it’s going to be a few years until West Coast is seriously contending again.
Brisbane has a history of healing battered bodies. Just look at Daniher, the man Allen could end up replacing.
The Lions are also set to be at the peak of their powers for the foreseeable future with the arrival of Levi Ashcroft and the return of players like Oscar McInerney, Tom Doedee, Keidean Coleman and Lincoln McCarthy from serious injuries.
The 2024 Herald Sun rich 100 ranked Allen No. 44, valuing his contract at $750,000-$850,000 per season. If he can recapture his best, Allen’s value could start trending towards $1 million a year.
That sort of contract, coupled with Allen’s desired length, would land the Eagles a band one compensation pick. Gold Coast received pick 3 for Tom Lynch after declining to match Richmond’s seven-year deal. Daniher joined Brisbane on a three-year deal that netted Essendon pick 7.
West Coast already has two first-round picks in this year’s draft after securing Hawthorn’s in exchange for Tom Barrass. A third would not only allow the Eagles to make a significant play for Chad Warner but retain one to continue stockpiling top-end young talent.
The trade-off is a club captain and an immensely talented key forward. The Eagles also may be risking Harley Reid’s signature given he’ll need to see signs of significant improvement to stick around.
But West Coast is willing to get creative to fast-track its rebuild. While standing firm on its contract terms might not be the most inspired way to reinvent a list that needs strong on-field leadership, Allen might be the key to a Lions dynasty and Eagles resurgence.
Originally published as Brisbane’s pursuit of Oscar Allen examined: Could West Coast actually part ways with co-captain?
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