PEEL Thunder talent Bo Allan is already working ahead of schedule in 2024. After overcoming an Achilles strain in preseason, the 191cm defender planned to earn a WAFL League berth post the Under 18 National Championships with WA. Instead, he debuted in Round 1.

The Thunder beat East Fremantle in a Grand Final rematch to kick off their season in style, with Allan posting 11 disposals and three marks. He boosted his numbers in Round 2 and is beginning to find his feet at senior level, despite Peel going down to Subiaco on Sunday.

If his exploits to date are anything to go by, Allan will be competing for the honour of being his state’s top AFL Draft prospect this year. The Halls Head junior is a National Academy member and vice-captain of Peel’s Colts, placing him under our Player Focus microscope this week.

>> Feature: Allan & WA prospects out to prove a point

Peel Thunder, Western AustraliaDefender

Bo Allan

Height: 191cm

Weight: -

DOB: 16-02-2006

PLAYER FOCUS

2024 WAFL League: Round 2
Subiaco 14.8 (92) def. Peel Thunder 9.12 (66)

#15 Bo Allan (Peel Thunder)
Stats: 13 disposals (9 kicks, 4 handballs), 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

FIRST QUARTER

Starting every quarter on the ground in his primary defensive post, Allan was afforded plenty of game time and the freedom to play his way. It came as little surprise given Peel’s intercept defenders were a feature in Round 1, and that’s one of Allan’s key strengths.

His first involvement was one of high class. The teenager chased up a loose ball on defensive wing, applying early bodywork to push off his opponent and gather cleanly before delivering a neat kick on his favoured left side. Speed, smarts and skill all in one passage.

As the quarter wore on, Subiaco’s forward 50 entries began to remove Peel’s interceptors from the equation. Whether playing off the back shoulder or holding a high line up the ground, defenders like Allan had few opportunities to pick off long, rushed and ill-directed kicks.

SECOND QUARTER

Allan’s aggressive positioning saw him get involved in a couple of attacking passages during term two. He helped occupy a man for Corey Tregenza to take a two-on-one mark, and later mopped up a loose ball in the corridor for Peel to break onto the outside and score.

Peel took the lead at two points during the second quarter with such effectiveness behind the ball, but also through clearance dominance. In turn, Allan played the percentages when the ball came his way and continued to engage in necessary bodywork one-on-one.

By far his best moment for the quarter, perhaps even the match, was his effort to chase up a clearance which Subiaco had punted over the back. With electrifying speed, Allan beat two opponents to the ball and scooped it up off the deck with absolute aplomb before dishing off.

Again, it was his athleticism and skill which were showcased in a small but important moment of brilliance. Such passages highlight clear elements of defensive thinking and offensive flair, which Allan seems to walk the line of – albeit leaning towards the latter.

THIRD QUARTER

Allan spent time manning Subiaco captain Greg Clark at the start of term three, before also moving onto the experienced Leigh Kitchin. The third was his least prolific quarter with only a kick and mark added to the youngster’s tally, both during the same passage of play.

After sliding for a mark in the defensive corridor, Allan completed the switch for Peel with an effective sideways kick to the wing. Elsewhere, he was sighted playing on the back shoulder on Kitchin and making a timely spoil in defensive 50 with good closing speed.

FOURTH QUARTER

Allan’s reading of the play was displayed to close out the game, reacting well to Subiaco’s kickers and holding his own in marking contests. He was only beaten once for the day by the crafty Ben Sokol, who protected the drop of the ball too well for Allan to spoil.

Adding a handful of kicks and two uncontested marks to his stats sheet, Allan understandably looked less composed in open play relative to kick-mark passages. He clearly has the class to use the ball well and makes good decisions, but can still grow in confidence with more senior exposure.

Speaking of confidence, he backed himself to unleash a torpedo punt into the centre corridor as Peel pushed hard to turn the game around late, though it wasn’t his best effort. Again, the decision was bold and likely correct, but executing in the dying moments of a League slog is a new challenge.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

For a kid fresh off just his second state league game, Allan has shown a high degree of game sense and skill over the past fortnight. He is still acclimating to the level and will only get better as he continues to back himself, but is already doing many of the things he is well regarded for.

He’ll have plenty of support at Peel to play his natural game as a loose, third tall defender who takes up attacking positions and isn’t afraid to peel off for intercepts. He’s nimble at ground level and just as sure with ball in hand, using it nicely for a 191cm player – particularly on his left foot.

Playing the style he does suits the modern game and his athleticism makes him adaptable. Off the back shoulder, he reacts well to the play in front of him and can close quickly to spoil direct opponents, or move to impact another contest as the third man up.

Such performances will put him in good stead for the AFL Academy games against senior opposition. Hopefully, as hinted at during preseason, we get to see Allan roll into the midfield and showcase his upside in the way of versatility during the National Championships.