Radical Eagles move urged to ‘protect Pick 2’... and why star’s setback would tempt Lions to pivot

West Coast has been urged to put co-captain Oscar Allen on ice for the rest of the season – no matter the severity of his latest setback – amid his increasingly likely departure.

But dual premiership Kangaroo David King says he wouldn’t blame the Brisbane Lions if their interest in Allen cooled following his lower leg injury against Carlton.

Allen needed to be helped off Optus Stadium in the final term of the Eagles’ loss to the Blues on Sunday after falling to the turf – mid-run off the ball – with what initially looked to be a serious injury concern.

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The extent of Allen’s injury won’t be known until during the week, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said the early signs suggested Allen had avoided a serious injury.

“It’s always concerning when someone goes down like that off the ball,” he said.

“You think the worst (Achilles rupture).

“We think it’s not too bad, hopefully not serious.

McQualter reacts to Allen injury scare | 08:13

“It’s not a calf, or hamstring, it’s plantaris; that’s what we think at the moment.”

The plantaris is a tendon between the calf and the Achilles. Depending on its severity, the injury can cost a player up to two months.

The longer Allen is sidelined through, the bigger the headache it could become for the Eagles, considering his uncertain future has been one of the biggest AFL trade stories of the season

Allen remains unsigned beyond this season, with rival clubs circling him as a potential restricted free agent.

The 26-year-old has already met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, but Brisbane – which has reportedly offered Allen a long-term contract – is widely seen as his most likely destination next season.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, Herald Sun chief football reporter Jay Clark said Allen and the Eagles need to have a “mature conversation”.

“We know that he’s a critical part of this list build. We all expect the captain to join Brisbane at the end of this season … They’ve already got Pick 1, his departure to Brisbane would give them Pick 2. Now on one hand, you can see the list manager Matty Clarke saying; ‘Get him off, warehouse him for the year, protect the asset.’

Stars injured as Blues beat West Coast | 03:00

“I don’t think he plays again for the season. Whether he sits out three weeks, five weeks or eight weeks, I think his season is done.

“This is where we’ve got to have a mature conversation where Oscar Allen’s got to sit down – much like Bailey Smith last year – and put him on the bench for the final two months in the understanding that he’s heading to another club and that’s going to deliver them Pick 2 – which is the best thing for this football club, let’s be honest.

“As difficult as it might be, I think the best thing for West Coast is to protect your Pick 2 and today should be the last time we see him (Allen as an Eagle).”

King, however, said the Eagles shouldn’t rush to a decision.

“I’m a little bit with the club on this one, not necessarily ‘all in good faith’,” King told First Crack.

“I think the West Coast fans want to work out where they sit with this. Are they saying: ‘We want Pick 2, we actually understand you’re warehousing this guy, because that’s (for) the betterment of our football club, not having him banged up and potentially ruining him for trade?’”

Not only does Brisbane’s long-term security reportedly appeal to Allen, but so does the prospect of playing for a club in the premiership window.

'We were pathetic in the contest' | 00:44

But asked if Allen’s injury would now shake the Lions’ confidence in pursuing Allen, King told First Crack: “Absolutely. This is a business – and it’s a ruthless business in a lot of ways. The player (move) is not absolutely done until it’s signed, sealed and delivered – and that’s not in-season.

“We’re talking $1 million a year, so it’s a big investment. I’m ruthless, if I’m the Brisbane Lions I’m saying, if this is an Achilles or worse, do you change tack and chase a Harry McKay?”

Clark then asked King: “If you’re the Brisbane Lions, who would you be more confident in? Would you rather Oscar Allen for nothing, because he’s a free agent and you get him without giving up a draft pick? Or an early pick for Harry McKay? Which if the two commodities would you prefer?”

King replied: “You’re in the window to win it. I’m not looking at saving money here or saving a pick here. I’m going all-out to win it. They’re ripe, they’re there. So whatever player you think is going to bridge that gap or give you an area of advantage … which (for me) is Harry McKay.”

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna pointed out the Lions, if they were concerned about his injury, could still take Allen on a “reduced offer”, which could “take Pick 2 off the table”.

But asked if the Lions would reduce Allen’s offer, Montagna said: “I don’t think they would. I think the clubs would act in good faith. If they have committed to wanting Oscar Allen and they’ve made their offer and met with him, I think they would stick to it. But it’s something West Coast have got to consider.”

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