“Do you call yourself a forward, a ruckman or a forward ruckman?”

That was the question directed at Oscar Allen when he fronted the media at Mineral Resources Park earlier today.

His response: “I’d just call myself a football player”.

Allen has been West Coast’s ‘Mr. Fix It’ in season 2019, playing forward, back, on the wing and in the ruck throughout the home and away campaign.

But in recent weeks, with Nic Naitanui sidelined due to injury and Nathan Vardy working his way back to full strength in the WAFL, Allen has taken more responsibility in the ruck.

The second-year Eagle – who stands at 192cm and weighs in at 87kg – said he was relishing the challenge of squaring off against some of the league’s most towering goliaths on a weekly basis.

“It’s good fun; it’s obviously challenging,” Allen said.

“I’m probably a little undersized, but it’s given me a great opportunity to play around the ball and probably gets me involved in the game a little bit more.

“Sometimes as a deep forward there can be periods of the game where you’re not involved. Staying around the ball is keeping me engaged in the game.

“I’m definitely a little bit soarer come Monday morning, but it’s the same as playing any (key) position. It’s very similar to a marking contest – every hitout – except it happens every 30 or 40 seconds if there’s a couple of stoppages.  

“It’s enjoyable and I’m loving the opportunity.”

The 20-year-old’s biggest challenge of the year came in round 18 when he squared off against Melbourne monsters Max Gawn and Braydon Preuss in Alice Springs.

Gawn, the 2018 all-Australian ruckman, measures in at an imtimidating 208cm, while rugby-convert Pruce stands at a towering 206cm.

In spite of winning just one hitout the entire day, Allen still managed to impact the game.

He won 12 disposals, laid four tackles, reeled in three marks and kicked a goal to help the Eagles grind out a 13-point win over the club’s 2018 preliminary final opponents.

“That game against Melbourne, against (Max) Gawn and (Braydon) Preuss, was a pretty challenging one,” Allen admitted.

“They’ve both got 20cm and 25kgs on me. That was a big challenge, but every game at AFL level is a huge challenge and I’m still learning a lot. Every game I am picking up something that I can take forward for the next week.

“(The coaching panel) are realistic with what they expect from me (in the ruck).

“They just want me to go in there and have a serious crack. I think that’s what I do week-in, week-out.”