Oscar Allen Biography

Oscar Allen says Tom Hickey has been a great mentor to him as he adapts to life as the Eagles' back-up ruck.

"He's been an AFL ruckman for over 100 games and he has a lot of insight as to the best way to use your body," Allen said.

"He understands what other rucks want to get out of the stoppage against me and he's been really good prepping me each week and reviewing games with me as well."

Oscar Allen is rewarded with the round 21 AFL Rising Star nomination after booting three goals against Adelaide.

The 20-year-old Eagle has so far made his name as a third tall forward option and mobile back-up ruckman after stints in defence, and is hoping his flexibility will help him keep his spot in the strong Eagles' line-up as they press their claims for back-to-back flags.

"I just want to help the team in any way I can, and in whatever role I'm asked to play. That's always been my mindset," Allen said.

"The more roles I can play the better chance I have. Being exposed to different positions has been a good thing for my development because it's allowed me to learn from a number of senior key position players in our side."

Oscar Allen signs a two-year contract extension with West Coast to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

"I love the club and I love the people at the club. They've been so welcoming of me in my first 18 months at the club and I couldn't wait to extend," Allen said.

"As a young kid, I just want to focus on playing the best footy I can and helping the club in any way possible, so to get this done was a big milestone for me.

"Now I can just try to play some good footy and help the team any way I can."

Oscar Allen extends his two-year draft contract with West Coast by a year to remain at the club until the end of 2020.

Allen arrived at the club with a tibia stress fracture but has been lauded for his appetite for hard work during rehabilitation, and recently made his comeback in East Perth's victory over Perth.

"It’s been a pretty hard pre-season for me being in rehab for most of it, but the club has been incredibly supportive and they’ve always had my back," Allen said.

"I thought that’s the kind of culture (I admire) and I’d love to stay with a football club that supported players like that."

Oscar Allen is hopeful of being fully fit for the start of the season after being grounded for most of the pre-season with a tibia stress fracture.

"I've never had any serious injuries until this, so it's been a bit of a learning curve trying to deal with not being out on the track as much as I would like to be," Allen said.

"But it's also a real character-building thing, so I think it can be a positive for me in the future."

Oscar Allen feared his hopes of a West Coast career had been dashed when he was overlooked by the Eagles with their first pick in the national draft.

But the Eagles couldn't believe their luck when the athletic forward was still available in the second round and swooped with pick No.21.

"It was so up in the air, and just before the draft everyone was saying that tall forwards always tend to slide down the order a bit," Allen said.

"When they didn't pick me, I was almost resigned to the fact that I wouldn't make it around to the Eagles' second pick, which I was fine with, but I'm stoked."