Read what Ben Cousins, the West Coast Eagles great, had to say about Oscar Allen’s defection to the Brisbane Lions. This was a hot topic of discussion during his recent, and very exciting, radio show on Mix94.5. For Cousins, Allen’s exit should not come as a surprise considering the factors at play for both player and club. The once formidable Eagles are in full rebuild mode after a difficult season. It’s a win-win for all, especially Allen, as he goes from the bottom of the tier to linking up with the current champions.
Cousins noted that players are constantly on the lookout for the next place they can be more successful. Often, these changes don’t have the intended effect that they expect. “Many, many times players have left struggling clubs to seek success or try to go to where they think they’re going to have success, and it, you know, invariably doesn’t work,” he noted. This comment reflects Cousins’ understanding of the complexities involved in a player’s decision to change clubs.
Oscar Allen, the co-captain along with Shuey for the Eagles, has been a key cornerstone for their inconsistent lineup. He signed with the Brisbane Roar, an Australian team that recently claimed the A-League premiership title. Today, he finds himself in an exciting but intimidating new surrounding where expectations are mellow and aspirations grand. Cousins urged Allen to slow down his expectations for the shift. “It’s just an indication that the game is very much a business too, probably first and foremost, and clubs and players have to protect their own interests at the end of the day,” Cousins added, underscoring the professional nature of modern football.
In truth, the Eagles will likely benefit the most from Allen’s exodus. In getting Pick 1, they’re getting Picks 2 and 13 in this year’s draft. This massive resource of draft capital could provide the club with enticing opportunities to retool their roster. Armed with these resources, they are poised to improve their standing in future seasons.
Cousins discussed another big marker in the overall movement of free agency around the league. He’s never seen a year where so many club captains were either traded before the on-trade deadline or available and actively courting a new destination. Besides Allen, Essendon’s Zach Merrett has been the biggest name in trade rumors. “Zach Merrett is the big one that’s got plenty of airplay, which will go right down to the wire when trade week finishes next Wednesday,” Cousins stated.
Other likely-to-be-traded skippers would be Jy Simpkin of North and Jack Steele of St Kilda. The current climate of player mobility reflects a shift in how athletes approach their careers in the AFL. As teams carefully consider their rosters and hopes of future success, players too find themselves more and more weighing their options.
