Until he re-signs the prospect of him leaving will percolate and encourage suitors. I suspect he will remain an Eagle because even at West Coast – a corporation cum football club – it’s difficult to play hardball to the point your captain walks out the door. That suspicion will not dampen the interest of potential suitors.
His longer-term durability is of less concern to clubs who think he can help them contend for a premiership in the next couple of years, which is why Brisbane and Hawthorn are sniffing around.
After Joe Daniher’s sudden post-premiership retirement – the football equivalent of cool guys don’t look at explosions – the Lions shape as a compelling fit for Allen (and no, Daniher didn’t leave wreckage behind him, he just did the cool Clint Eastwood thing of walking away, without looking back).
If you get past the idea they are on the other side of the country – virtually every other team is if Allen chooses to leave – the Lions have a hole in their team in the position Allen plays and a sudden gap in their salary cap, both created by Daniher’s departure. And as the reigning premier, they are bang in the premiership window, so could potentially fill a hole in Allen’s CV with a premiership.
On Friday, the West Australian reported that Hawthorn also had keen interest in Allen. After the jolly old ride up the ladder last year, the Hawks now present as a club also in that window and a serious alternative for players. Not insignificantly, their coach Sam Mitchell also previously coached at West Coast, so has a connection to Allen.
The first game of football for the season only burnished their appeal. Yes, it was one game, but it was against last year’s beaten grand finalist, who in opening round at home had self-respect to be playing for as well as four points after the humiliation witnessed on grand final day. Hawthorn absorbed what the Swans had to offer, played their football and won.
Hawthorn skipper looked to enjoy his new-found freedom on Friday night.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Their strategically targeted off-season recruits Tom Barrass (ex-teammate of Allen) and Josh Battle worked well as a double act on Friday. They did what they were brought in to do and stabilised the Hawks’ tall defence. On the small SCG, they released James Sicily to be used wherever Mitchell wanted, not just wherever Mitchell needed.
But with Calsher Dear – a prodigiously talented key forward who deserves all the excitement and plaudits he draws – battling a back issue, the idea of bringing in Allen, or someone like him, has…
