None
Monday, 27 November 2017

UWA Commerce student Oscar Allen is on his way to the AFL after being picked up by the West Coast Eagles at pick 21.

At 191cm, the 18-year-old is shaping as a mobile third tall forward at AFL level. He has proved himself to be a versatile player, moving up and down the pitch from in stints in defence and midfield, to a period as ruck in the colts this season.

Allen had been linked with the Eagles’ first-round pick, but was not a sure bet due to surging interest from a range of clubs. He made a name for himself as the WA u-18 co-captain, consistently kicking goals throughout the competition.

After the Eagles took defender Jarrod Brander as their first pick, Allen was sure he would be moving east.

"It was so up in the air, and just before the draft everyone was saying that tall forwards always tend to slide down the order a bit," Allen said.

Luckily for both the club and the player, Allen was still available for West Coast’s next pick at 21, and so they quickly snapped him up.

WA talent manager Adam Jones described Allen as a big-game player. He won the Larke Medal as best player in this year’s under-18 championships and then starred at the MCG in the All-Stars game that was a curtain-raiser to the AFL Grand Final.

West Coast now look to begin preseason training, with a chance for Allen to learn from dual Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy.

"That's the best way to learn, especially for someone like me who is so naïve in terms of the AFL environment, so asking those questions and getting involved is the best way to help me get to the next level."

Media references

Louis Humberstone

Graduate Officer, UWA Sport Marketing, Communication and Events

[email protected]

6488 3768

Tags

Groups
UWA Sport