West Coast Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen is likely to leave the club as a free agent, with Brisbane his team of choice.
Allen was picked by the Eagles in the 2017 draft with pick 21, but there has been talk about his future all year, which was only heightened after he was caught meeting Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell earlier this year.
However, it is reported that Allen has chosen the Lions as his team of choice, with Brisbane needing a new key forward after star forward Joe Daniher retired after the grand final last year.
In a statement released by the club announcing Allen's decision to explore free agency, Matt Clarke, who is the Eagles' head of list management and recruiting, said the club was told of the decision on Friday.
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“During a respectful and engaging end-of-season meeting with our coach Andrew McQualter, Head of Football John Worsfold and myself on Friday, Oscar informed us of his intention to explore free agency,” Clarke said.
“As Oscar is a restricted free agent, we retain the right to match any offer made to him by another club, and Oscar understands that.
“We will work through the next steps in this process as they unfold, assess our options and make a considered decision.”
Allen was the leading goalkicker for the Eagles in 2023 with 53 goals, but has had injuries interrupting him since, with a knee injury in 2024 and a calf and Achilles injury this year.
As Allen is a restricted free agent, the Eagles could match Brisbane's offer, which would force a trade or allow him to take the Lions' contract and receive compensation from the AFL.
If the Eagles received the compensation, they would land the second pick in this year's draft, which could see them have up to four first-round picks depending on the outcome of their request for an assistance package.
Allen has played 105 games for the Eagles since being drafted in 2017.