Goals have been a precious commodity for the West Coast Eagles this season, but key forward Oscar Allen has been a shining light up forward.
He is sitting in third position in the ‘race’ for the Coleman Medal behind Geelong star Jeremy Cameron and Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow, who both have 38 goals. Allen has 32 from 12 games.
For Allen, who has been able to cope with the task of being the major target up forward, and to continue to hit the scoreboard despite a lack of aerial support it has been quite remarkable.
But he will relish the opportunity to share the forward focus with veteran Jack Darling who will return after a three-week absence from a fractured arm received when he landed awkwardly against Gold Coast.
“Jack’s an all-Australian forward and the experience and what he brings to the table is another great target,” Allen said ahead of the team’s departure for Adelaide and an assignment with the Crows tomorrow.
“He’s such a reliable player and you like playing with people when you know what you’re going to get week in, week out. He has been heavily missed and (I’m) really looking forward to running out there with him.”
Allen, who has been part of a rotation with the captaincy in the absence of Luke Shuey, who will also resume tomorrow, has enjoyed the formal leadership responsibility.
“It was a great experience and I’m really grateful to the club for allowing me to do it,” Allen said.
“I think TB (Tom Barrass), Duggo (Liam Duggan) and myself – we all handled ourselves relatively well, but it is good to have Luke back. He’s our leader and I’m looking forward to playing behind him.
“Potentially,” he responded when asked if he’d like the role later in his career. “As I said I really enjoyed the experience but as long as Luke is here he is going to be our skipper. It was a great opportunity and probably got to experience some of the feeling that going out there, doing the toss, just the little things.
“I was pleased to play relatively well in the role but Luke is one of the better captains going around and I look forward to playing behind him again.”
