West Coast spearhead Oscar Allen says Jack Darling was closely missed and might be welcomed again with open arms in Saturday’s AFL conflict with the Crows in Adelaide.
Darling booted simply 10.12 throughout the opening 9 rounds earlier than struggling a fractured arm.
The 30-year-old’s poor kind resulted in him even receiving Bronx cheers from Eagles followers, however his inclusion alongside captain Luke Shuey is an enormous enhance for injury-hit West Coast.
Allen sits equal third on the Coleman leaderboard with 32 objectives throughout 12 video games – a exceptional return given the struggles of the last-placed Eagles.
The 24-year-old cannot wait to be reunited with Darling.
“Jack’s an All-Australian forward. He was probably copping a bit of flak when he was playing before he got hurt,” Allen advised reporters on Friday.
“But the experience in what he brings to the table – he’s another great target, he’s so reliable as a player, and you love playing with people that you know what you’re going to get from them week in, week out.
“(He was) closely missed, and actually trying ahead to working on the market (with him).”
Allen and Darling will be joined by 18-year-old debutant Ryan Maric, who was pick No.1 in last week’s mid-season rookie draft.
The 196cm forward has worked hard on his fitness to earn his crack at the AFL, and Allen is looking forward to what he can produce.
“He’s an attractive kick, he is bought nice abilities and he is an enormous dimension,” Allen stated.
“He was saying, ‘I play half ahead’ and I used to be trying eye-to-eye with him and I used to be like, ‘proper, perhaps I’m undersized’.
“He’s a big strong boy, and he’s 18 years old. He’s got a lot of scope to become a good AFL player in time.”
Allen was handed the captaincy over the previous fortnight as a part of West Coast’s rotation coverage within the absence of Shuey.
The key ahead booted 4 objectives towards Essendon earlier than bagging three towards Collingwood final week.
Allen is being touted as a robust captaincy possibility if Shuey steps down on the finish of this season, and it is a function he’ll think about taking up.
“It was a great experience and I’m really grateful for the club for allowing me to do it,” Allen stated.
“I was pleased I was able to play relatively well in the role. But Luke is one of the better captains going around, so looking forward to playing behind him.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
