Emerging West Coast star Oscar Allen is about to stay stationed up ahead this season regardless of the membership’s already-thin ruck shares going through an early damage problem.
First-choice ruckman Nic Naitanui (achilles) stays doubtful for Saturday’s opener in opposition to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, whereas his back-up Bailey Williams (hamstring) can be no certainty to play.
Defender Josh Rotham, who was used as a back-up ruckman within the pre-season loss to Adelaide, will miss the primary month of the season with a damaged arm.
Forward Jack Darling is recovering effectively from an ankle damage and is hoping to show his health for spherical one.
If Naitanui and Williams are each dominated out, it can go away 22-year-old Callum Jamieson to go up in opposition to the may of North Melbourne large man Todd Goldstein.
Allen was efficiently used as a pinch-hitting ruckman through the early years of his profession.
But after lacking all of final season with a foot damage – and with West Coast needing to fill the enormous void in assault left by the retired Josh Kennedy – Allen is about to play completely as a ahead.
“It is nice,” Allen stated.
“It’s something we were working towards the last couple of years.
“Particularly earlier in my profession, my versatility and talent to play within the ruck most likely stored me within the aspect, as a result of there have been undoubtedly days the place Simmo and the teaching workers may have left me out and performed one other small ahead (as an alternative).
“But if the tap on the shoulder comes (to play in the ruck again), I’ll definitely do it.”
Allen, who booted 28 objectives in 2021, stated he’s utterly over his foot damage.
“I think that’s why we had such a conservative route last year and that’s why we took it the way we did with ruling myself out at probably the halfway mark of the season – just understanding how important it is to nip it in the bud and get it right,” Allen stated.
“If your feet don’t work it’s going to be hard to play footy, you can’t run or do anything that’s required.
“But it feels nice, the physique’s been feeling actually good for the final 5 or 6 months now and I’ve had a extremely good coaching part.”
Allen will shoulder a huge responsibility now that Kennedy has retired.
Kennedy, who booted 723 goals during his decorated career, has been keeping in touch with Allen to offer him advice.
“He was really at coaching final week watching, so he gave me a few pointers, which is at all times good,” Allen stated.
“He’s terrific and has been an ideal chief and mentor for me in my time on the footy membership.
“He’s probably the reason I’m in the position I am today, because of the path he put me on when I got to the club.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
