OVERVIEW

In 2016, Oscar Allen was runner-up in the WAFL Colts best and fairest, named in the WAFL Colts team of the year at centre-half forward after booting 14 goals from 17 games - playing in the ruck and inside 50. This year, Allen has continued to put his hand up to be one of Western Australia's first players picked in the 2017 National AFL Draft. The 191cm athletic tall moves well at either end of the ground, often utilised in the ruck for West Perth at Colts and Reserves level.  In the National Under 18 Championships, WA co-captain Allen averaged 15 disposals, six marks and booted 11 goals - winning the Larke Medal, judged as the best player in the carnival. He also made two appearances for West Perth in the WAFL League team, and on Grand Final Day he represented Team Enright, booting 2.3 from 18 disposals and took seven mark in the AFL Under 18 All Stars contest.

STRENGTHS

• Leap
• Marking
• Mobility

Allen’s leap at the NAB AFL Draft Combine was impressive, featuring the top 10 with a running vertical jump of 88cm. When he plays, despite being 191cm - he is able to use his leap inside 50, often playing taller than his physical height suggests, giving him the ability to play the role as the number one or two key forward.

Allen’s contested marking and marking on the lead is strong, averaging six marks (two contested) in the National Under 18 Championships - with only Allies key forward Hugh Dixon averaging more contested marks throughout the carnival. On Grand Final day, Allen was the most promising tall on show – clunking four contested marks for the game finishing with 2.3 on the scoreboard – with a dominant opening half seeing him bring down five of his seven marks.

Allen’s mobility will make him appealing to clubs, where he is sound athletically and he can play in multiple positions. Playing for West Australia this season, Allen was utilised as a forward – but in the WAFL Colts he was played right around the ground showing he can match it as a defender, and use his leap in the ruck. Like some other talls, he doesn’t lumber around and can run – recording 21.2 in the Yo-Yo test, declaring he should be able to adapt to the fast running pace of AFL. At ground level, Allen is agile - placing in the top 10 at the combine with a time of 8.27s in the agility test.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Set shot goal kicking

On Grand Final day, Allen could’ve booted five goals – missing multiple shots with his day finishing with 2.3. At times in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships he missed chances that could’ve been booted & it could be an area that gets cleaned up at the next level. At the National AFL Draft Combine, Allen scored 20/30 on the goal kicking test.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 10-20

SUMMARY

Some punters suggest Allen is a chance to feature inside the top 10, but it appears likely that clubs in the latter half of the first round will be able to get their hands on Allen. The key forward is the best forward in the draft pool, and it will be out of him and Aaron Naughton who will be the first West Australian player selected. The WA Under 18s co-captain has worked on his game throughout the season and will be a player that should be able to transition to the next level.