Oscar Allen: ‘Best I’ve felt in five years’ — New Lion confident injury woes are behind him
oscar allen says his body is the best it’s felt in five years after reworking his gym program following patella tendon surgery. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning ET after joining the Brisbane Lions in the off-season and returning to consistent main sessions. The former West Coast captain credits individualized training, continuity and two important goals in Saturday’s win over St Kilda for rebuilding confidence.
Oscar Allen on his body and training
The 27-year-old said patella tendon surgery came after ongoing problems with his calf and Achilles, and that interruptions to his preparation left him short on continuity at his previous club. He was selected in the All-Australian squad of 44 in 2023 but played just 11 and 12 games in the ensuing seasons as he battled his body. “We re-did some gym programming, and my body has responded well to it, ” Oscar Allen, full forward, Brisbane Lions, said on Tuesday morning ET. “It’s probably the best I’ve felt in my body for five years. I’ve had a lot of interruptions in the past, but one thing the club does really well is individualise players’ programs, and I feel like it’s worked really well for me. “
Game impact and team chemistry
Allen produced what he described as his best game for his new club on Saturday ET, kicking two important goals when the match was tight in the Lions’ win over St Kilda. He said the on-field chemistry with teammates is gradually coming together even as Brisbane dealt with injuries to each line on the ground. “It’s more the week to week, the ability to get out there and train, continue to work on my craft and improve and get better, ” he said, adding that he had missed many training sessions in recent years but has been “really glad to get out there pretty much every main session so far. ” The forward framed those weekday sessions as the real work that has restored confidence on-field.
What’s next
Despite the boost, Allen kept expectations measured. “Having said that, we’re at round three, we’re still at the start of the year, ” he said on Tuesday morning ET, stressing the importance of continuity and weekly play. He said his goal coming into the season was simply to attend main sessions consistently, and that process has already helped both his performance and belief in his body. Looking ahead, oscar allen said he intends to maintain that training rhythm and continuity week to week as the club moves through the early rounds, using the individualized program that has underpinned his recent turnaround.
