West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson says young gun Oscar Allen will enact a new role this season as a permanent key forward, as the club plans to be without leading goalkicker Jack Darling.
Darling’s playing future remains in doubt after the 29-year-old failed to satisfy the AFL’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements, barring the star forward from attending pre-season training.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, Simpson said the club would play Allen as a forward, regardless of what unfolded with Darling.
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“His availability has been critical for his preparation (and) he’s extended himself and gone to another level with his training,” he said.
“He has actually used Jack as a real beacon for work ethic and they both came back in tremendous shape.
“To put it into practice on game day and see some results, that’s the plan, but at the moment he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
“We probably won’t play him in the ruck this year and just let him play as a key position forward and try and get him settled.”
Allen was recently named in the club’s leadership group for the first time, flagging the 22-year old as a keystone of the club’s future.
Previously splitting his time as a forward, defender and alternate ruckman, Allen excited in 2021, scoring 16 goals in the first six rounds.
The Herald Sun reported this week that Darling is considering the novavax vaccine, which could be available as early as February 21. He is the only West Coast player yet to receive a first vaccine dose and is so far hesitant to be vaccinated.
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