‘Explosive’ hybrid is WA’s top AFL draft prize. Why ‘surreal’ experiences will hold him in good stead

Regarded as the best Western Australian prospect in the 2024 draft pool, the positionally versatile Bo Allan is drawing on an array of “surreal” 2024 experiences as he prepares to have his name called early on November 20.

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Allan, who captained his under-18 state side through a competitive championships campaign, showcased his aptitude playing both in defence and the midfield.

A burgeoning leader and competitive ball-winner who played in a WAFL flag with Peel Thunder and acclimated himself with Fremantle players, reflected on the mentorship of coaches as well as those AFL-listed players in a one-on-one with Foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Waterworth.

Allan averaged 20.0 disposals, 7.3 contested possessions, 6.3 score involvements, 6.0 tackles and 3.7 clearances for WA, and 11.5 disposals and 3.3 tackles across 11 WAFL league games with the Thunder.

On the prospect of joining an AFL club, Allan wouldn’t get ahead of himself, saying: “It (getting drafted) is still just a possibility at the moment, but yeah, it is getting towards the pointy end of things, and things are getting a bit more serious.”

Allan reflects on his draft year fondly, having navigated plenty en route to likely having his name called within the first 15 picks of the national draft.

“It’s been a long year,” he told Waterworth.

“Quite positive for me, I think — the championships and getting a leadership role, making the national academy, things like that. Going back to Peel after that and finishing off with a WAFL flag as well.

“There are a lot of accolades in there and (they’re) quite humbling, and (I’m) proud of the season I’ve had. I’m pretty happy with the hard work; it’s paying off.”

Allan captained the under-18 Western Australian side, leading the Black Swans to a plucky third-placed carnival finish.

“(I) had a lot more experiences this year,” he said.

“Being named captain, I got to share a lot of leadership experiences throughout the boys.

“Obviously, it wasn’t just me, it was a team effort. WA this year was very competitive throughout, (we were) one of the tightest-knit groups and champs (teams) I’ve been a part of — so, yeah, I really enjoyed it.

“Leaned on the experience side of things and got to share that with other guys, and respect to coaches, like I said, and (built) some lifelong friendships along the way.”

Allan enters as one of the more positionally-versatile prospects, having played both as a defender and pure ball-winner in his draft year.

“Yeah, it’s been good (switching roles),” he said.

“Obviously, started out as a backman, playing a couple first league games this season, and played a couple of Colts games as a midfielder for a bit of experience, and then, yeah, into the midfield for the champs.

“It has been good. And obviously, then back at league as a back and then turned into mid as well. So yeah, (it’s) been chopping, changing. But yeah, like I said, I’ve developed in both areas of my game this year, and just really relying on my hard work and that (work) I’ve put in.

“Tendai (Mzungu, a defensive assistant at Peel) has been really big for me at league level as a backman.

“Then, moving into the midfield, people like Neil Erasmus and Liam Reidy the ruckman, just helped me, took me under their wing, and, yeah, made the transition so much easier.”

While Allan’s Dockers ties and childhood support of Fremantle make for a dream landing spot, there is every chance he is snapped up by West Coast before the Dockers get a chance on draft night.

After Fremantle’s trade with Richmond for Shai Bolton, the Dockers’ first pick is now No. 14, while the Eagles are scheduled to make their first selection at No. 12.

Having represented Peel for a time, Allan was mixing with a number of Fremantle senior players — an experience he called “surreal”.

“Yeah, to a certain extent (it felt like I was part of it) … It was good to have them (senior Dockers players) come down,” he said.

“Obviously, throughout the (WAFL) final series, they were down training with us full-time, and it just brings us together as one, because we are, you know, one team at the end of the day and all on the same page.

“They bring such good vibe and camaraderie to us. And, yeah, they’re one of us, it’s really good — you get to build relationships, obviously, with listed players. And it’s quite surreal, a lot of experience being shared. So, yeah, very grateful for that opportunity.”

Of Mzungu’s influence at Peel, Allan said: “For me, personally, (it was) just about playing with confidence. Obviously, you learn from your mistakes, and you don’t get (past) the mistakes by going into your shell. So yeah, play with a bit of flair, play with confidence. And obviously I was there for a reason; for my strengths. So yeah, display them (was the message).”

While Allan has shown his wares as a developing ball-winner, he expects to be played in defence — at least to begin his AFL career.

“Yeah, it’s a tough question at the moment,” he said of his best position.

“I really like the midfield type of stuff (but I’m) quite raw as a midfielder at the moment, so I would put my magnet down back purely for experience, but I would love to develop in the midfield and any other areas that I needed.

“I think that (being played down back to start out) is the general feel around it. And then would like to think I’d be able to move into the midfield after, obviously, more time and experience.”

Asked to describe his traits to someone who had never seen him play before, Allan said: “I’d like to say I’m very competitive. Love to tackle in and under, pressure acts, strong in the contest, test the tackler, drive my legs, explosive.”

On that competitiveness, Allan says he was able to display it at WAFL league level for the Thunder.

“I think I got to show it in the last two games, especially a little bit off half back in a couple games,” he said.

“The last two games in the midfield, I really got to, you know, get in there, use my pressure, competitiveness and drive from stoppage.

“So yeah, I was really happy with the two games. And yeah, really, really fortunate for ‘Ready’ (Peel senior coach Adam Read) to give me a chance and have the trust in me to do that.”

Allan had a decent list when it came to naming the influential figures throughout his footballing journey thus far.

“Definitely my parents, my dad — they’ve always been there for me,” Allan began.

“Always came to watch my community games when I was young and growing up, they’ve always been there for me to talk to.

“And then definitely my coaches along the way, my Colts coach, Danny Chartres, who was also actually my school homeroom teacher. So yeah, got to know him really well.

“Then moving up into the 18s, I think ‘Webby’ (WA under-18s coach Marc Webb) was huge for me. The WAFC (Western Australia Football Commission), ‘Jonesy’ (WAFC State Talent Manager Adam Jones), he introduced that new midfield role to me, and it was just such a confidence-booster.

“Just really loved the trust that he (Webb) had in me to be able to open my game up in that sort of area. And it has opened up new avenues for me.

“So yeah, really thankful for ‘Webby’ and ‘Jonesy’ there and then coming back to Peel, ‘Ready’ … he really made an effort to get to know me and everyone so much. And yeah, same thing, having trust in me, to put me back into the side and somewhere where I hadn’t had so much experience. So yeah, really thankful for those guys.”

Speaking on the influence of his father, Allan said: “He’s been there for me. Obviously, (we) get along really well outside of footy as well … I just love being around him. He’s always been there for me, like I said, someone to talk to.”

And specifically on the influence of Marc Webb on Allan and the other WA youngsters, Allan said he was “big on having a trademark”.

“We had a little trademark and saying that we would snap back to and that we stand for,” Allan said of Webb’s approach.

“We (wanted) to be seen as something this year. Obviously, there was a little something that came out at the start of the year (about the perceived lack of WA talent), and yeah, we just built from there.

“We did have a lot of competitive boys, and we did all come together through ‘Webby’, and all the guys really cracked in. So yeah, it was definitely not just a one man job. It was WA as a whole.

“We were really happy with the competitiveness that we showed throughout.”

How prepared is Allan for full-time AFL football?

“From my understanding, I’m fully ready,” he stated.

“Obviously, there’s things that I’m not going to know yet as an 18-year-old, but I obviously got to train at Freo for a week through the national academy, and that was a really good tester of the professionalism.

“Basically, at the end of the day, it’s still a full time job. You’re there five, six days a week. So yeah, I loved it. And yeah, got to understand it well.

“So yeah, wouldn’t, wouldn’t change anything, and would be really keen if I got the opportunity.”