All Australian defender Brad Sheppard expects to see exciting tall Oscar Allen swung into West Coast’s backline “at stages” this year as he continues his development.

While Allen’s long-term future appears to be in attack, the mature youngster has shown his versatility across his 38-game career by pinch-hitting in the ruck and pushing into defence.

The 194cm young gun has still managed to average a goal per match despite playing a variety of positions, with his compliance and adaptability across several roles a feature of his game.

“I think at stages we’ll see Oscar down back. Obviously preferred position is in the forward line and he plays so well up forward, so I don’t think ‘Simmo’ (coach Adam Simpson) will be rushing him back too often,” Sheppard told TAB Radio.

“But at stages throughout the year no doubt you’ll see Oscar behind the footy and it just shows you the strings he has as a footballer.

“For such a young kid, he’s played in the ruck, he’s played up forward and in his first year of footy he played down back with us.      `

“He’s a very exciting prospect for the club.

“Throughout the year if injuries happen within the game you’ve got to know certain players can fill a role in different positions and he’s one of those players.”

Sheppard predicted another step forward for Allen in 2021 after a strong pre-season, after the 21-year-old impressed with two goals and eight marks in the AAMI Community Series victory over Fremantle.

“I think we’ve shown in the pre-season there has been some good development with our young kids coming through,” Sheppard said.

“I think Oscar Allen has had a really strong pre-season and it was evident on the weekend. Seeing Liam Ryan I think he has gone to another level.

“Then we’ve got a couple of new players slotted into our system, so I think we’re a well-balanced side at the moment between youth and experience.

“The start of the season, hopefully the COVID situation stays the way it is and we can get a number of games at home with full crowds and obviously away as well.

“To be able to play again in Melbourne and not hub would be great, but you’ve got to be flexible this year and anything’s possible.”

With round one against Gold Coast on Sunday, March 21 rapidly approaching Sheppard will soon start turning his attention to the Suns.

Stuart Dew’s talented young side thrashed the Eagles by 44 points in round two last season in the club’s first game back from the three-month season shutdown, and will be the first challenge in a tricky start to the season.

“You’ve got to get your head around you’re playing them. They’re an exciting young side the Gold Coast,” Sheppard said.

“They beat us pretty convincingly last year in our first game back when we went to Queensland for our first game in the hub.”

After the rising Suns, the Eagles face five finalists from last year in consecutive weeks - the Bulldogs, Power, Saints, Magpies and Cats.