‘Had my back in the past’: Ex-Eagles captain questions club’s support during messy exit

Oscar Allen has questioned his level of support in his final days as West Coast Eagles captain.

The new Brisbane Lion has opened up about his departure at the end of the 2025 season, admitting he left with “a little bit” of a bad taste in his mouth.

Allen was peculiarly put in front of the media after it was revealed he met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell during the season.

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Eventually, the Brisbane offer eclipsed the Eagles’ terms on several fronts, but Allen said the change in people who had his back was a big factor.

“Oh, I suppose a little bit, and I understand now it’s a business, and probably the last 12 months has been pretty eye-opening with that aspect,” Allen told Mix94.5.

“I’ve been really fortunate that early days of my career, West Coast looked after me incredibly well.

“Clearly, there’s been a lot of change at the footy club, so people that potentially always had my back in the past probably aren’t there in those roles anymore.

“So that was a big change for me. But it clearly got to the stage where what (the offer) was to stay here was significantly different (to the offer) to leave.

“Some of the like environment stuff, and clearly when everything came out publicly with me this year, the level of support I received from different people was probably different than what I expected it to be.”

The forward had a difficult year on the field for West Coast too, struggling to find form and ultimately missing the end of the season through injury.

His move to the Lions quickly became the worst-kept secret in footy.

Adding to his disenchantment with the Eagles, Allen said the Lions made him feel “wanted”.

“I get to go to a situation where I know that I’m really wanted, they’ve put all these things in front of me and been really clear that they wanted me,” he said.

“So that’s a great feeling for me as a person, for someone to really want to have you there, so that for me was great.

“Why wouldn’t I want to go somewhere where everyone really wants to have me here?

“ … without being blunt, you’re in a position where the footy cub’s (Brisbane) going a bit better, successfully on field, off field.

“They’ve got a great culture. You’re getting a longer contract. You’re probably getting paid a little bit more money.

“Every single aspect is probably, I suppose, a little bit of a benefit. Why would you not take that up?”