The Bo Allan Thread

[spirit of norm smith 16,418]

Bo Allan is definitely in the discussion for our pick “9”. 

He is a very strong midfielder with good strong contested footy in centre clearance and stoppages. Tackles extremely well.  Good long left foot kick.  Whilst didn’t always hit targets, he also played in 11 games for Peel Thunder in the WAFL seniors above his years and under pressure.  His size and athleticism is a huge asset mix. His body size 190cms and shape is a plug and play in today’s AFL World.  

National Combine testing

agility 7.94secs - 4th overall

standing vertical jump 72 - 4th overall behind much taller peers 

running vertical 92 - 3rd overall  (Tauru won with 94) 

20m sprint at 3 seconds

2km time 6:30 (tbc) 

I’d be happy to grab him at 9 as an option. (And get under the Eagles feathers 🤣🤣). He is physically ready to play round 1 2025.  Can play behind the ball ans a defender and also as a midfielder.  He has real competitiveness and attitude to tackle effectively.  He’s not perfect.  Whilst he can kick it almost 60 metres, shorter decisions by foot need work. 

Because of MFCSS, only knock is the WA go home factor.  Yes I’m still perhaps scarred by Jackson.  Thankful and hopeful that we can retain Kozzy, Riv, JVR, McVee & Kolt. JT has shown he picks the best available no matter where they are from and shouldn’t be afraid of Allan’s WA origins.  

Now for a little controversy … my plays like comparison is … he reminds of Luke Hodge. Maybe not as skilled now, but he could be. 

 

[adonski 12,036]

Has the athletic profile and physicality, can someone more familiar with him advise if he has the skills and brain?

[manny100 1,538]

If we go for a KP at 5 then we may well pick him at 9 if available. Explosive, good size and may start at half back if Rivers plays mid. Played 11 senior games at Peel Thunder including a senior Grand final victory.

[Lord Travis 10,726]

Great athlete. Not the best decision maker with ball in hand and average kicking skills, especially short-mid range.

Could develop into an explosive inside midfielder. Could develop into a poorly skilled rebounding half back flanker.

WA lad rumored to be a flight risk. Would be a brave call but can see the appeal also.

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,712]

Let's go the West Aussie Demons....

New home base to be setup in Cottestloe

[darkhorse72 1,916]

What does the name sound so familiar.  Ah, It made me think of:  Bo Callihan from the movie draft day.  Who went to his birthday party!

[Dee Viney Intervention 1,933]

Will he solve our midfield - forward connection issues. Probably not. Thanks but no thanks.

[adonski 12,036]

Not sure he's any good in the footballing aspects of being a footballer but the explosiveness is quite titillating

 

[spirit of norm smith 16,418]

Bo Allan: WA's top draft talent is an AFL captain in waiting

A good read, especially… 

The skipper is uncompromising at the coalface and tenacious in his pursuit of the man. You'll see him sprint off halfback to link play together, then launch himself to smother balls and detour 20 metres to shepherd for a teammate.

Style and poise get left at the door as Allan wills the ball forward. When presented with the option of going around or through his opponent, he chooses the latter.

It's crash and bash footy at its very best, but the power athlete also possesses genuine top-end speed which makes him an important transition runner when the footy spills free.

[BLWNBA 1,002]

On 28/10/2024 at 17:00, Lord Travis said:

Not the best decision maker with ball in hand and average kicking skills, especially short-mid range.

 

He'll fit right in then. 

C'mon down, Bo! 

[dice 701]

Any relation of Ben Allan? The West reporting today that we are interested in Bo:

The Tigers are one of three clubs interested in Allan and currently have four selections before the WA clubs (picks 1, 6, 10 and 11).

St Kilda (picks 7 and 8) and Melbourne (picks 5 and 9) are also interested in Allan, who Jones said has the “potential to captain a club one day”.

Edited November 3 by dice

[Superunknown 4,215]

I think @Pennant St Dee mentioned he was a flight risk ✈️🏃🏼‍♀️⌛️😥

[adonski 12,036]

An Alllan, Lindsay double may make sense for the Saints

[Sydee 4,404]

On 28/10/2024 at 17:40, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Will he solve our midfield - forward connection issues. Probably not. Thanks but no thanks.

Allen looks like he’s got potential to be a very solid 200 gamer to me 

Do I think we’d be better picking a Victorian kid due to flight risk - probably 

Based on the limited vision available I don’t think his disposal by foot is worse than any of our current starting midfielders - probably a low benchmark though 

[BW511 2,667]

39 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Allen looks like he’s got potential to be a very solid 200 gamer to me 

Do I think we’d be better picking a Victorian kid due to flight risk - probably 

Based on the limited vision available I don’t think his disposal by foot is worse than any of our current starting midfielders - probably a low benchmark though 

Exactly my problem with Allen, he’s more of the same and that’s what we don’t need.

 

[Pennant St Dee 13,165]

5 hours ago, Superunknown said:

I think @Pennant St Dee mentioned he was a flight risk ✈️🏃🏼‍♀️⌛️😥

Yes I believe he is, also hearing the same from others but if the club select him they are backing themselves to keep him 

[DeeSpencer 25,626]

3 hours ago, BW511 said:

Exactly my problem with Allen, he’s more of the same and that’s what we don’t need.

 

I'm happy to have another shoddy ball user if he's a freak athlete and ball winner. My issue is the ball winning isn't near the Oliver/Tracc level. They have to be confident his ball winning will develop as well as his ball use.

[Axis of Bob 11,782]

I like Allan because of his power. He's grown on me because I didn't like his ball use early and thought he was a pretty basic footballer. He's still a simple footballer but he's got great power, defends really well and uses his power to get forward out of stoppages. A bit like Reuben Ginbey but quicker and more direct. I don't think his kicking is as terrible as I initially thought and his hands are fine. I'd be comfortable taking him at 9, as we've clearly rated players with his sort of power with even lower output (like Tholstrup). 

It's difficult to get true power players onto your lists and they're so valuable when you do. It's as good a reason as any to grab him.

[58er 6,418]

6 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

I like Allan because of his power. He's grown on me because I didn't like his ball use early and thought he was a pretty basic footballer. He's still a simple footballer but he's got great power, defends really well and uses his power to get forward out of stoppages. A bit like Reuben Ginbey but quicker and more direct. I don't think his kicking is as terrible as I initially thought and his hands are fine. I'd be comfortable taking him at 9, as we've clearly rated players with his sort of power with even lower output (like Tholstrup). 

It's difficult to get true power players onto your lists and they're so valuable when you do. It's as good a reason as any to grab him.

We don’t necessarily need all Power players. We need fast and skilled as well so there are a combination of different types in each section on the ground. 
Part of our lack of difference is the defense and contest mentality that has been holding back the team since 2021. 
Time for some players  with skill like Fritta the Duke Kossie Pup and Kolt hopefully Sharp is fast and skilled in playing not just his reputation. These blokes finish off the play by passing or kicking goals or keep a chain of play started from the centre. The Bulls ie Trac JV Clarry  Tom S etc. are needed to get the ball out or battle their way with strength to start ball movement. 

[adonski 12,036]

He's very rough around the edges but there's a lot there, I'm coming round!!!

 

[demoncat 1,413]

51 minutes ago, adonski said:

He's very rough around the edges but there's a lot there, I'm coming round!!!

 

He has a very high ceiling I reckon

If he can improve his decision making and kicking he’ll be right up there with the best of this years crop

Plus something in my gut is telling me he’s right at the top of JT’s list for pick 9

[adonski 12,036]

5 minutes ago, demoncat said:

He has a very high ceiling I reckon

If he can improve his decision making and kicking he’ll be right up there with the best of this years crop

Plus something in my gut is telling me he’s right at the top of JT’s list for pick 9

It's more the fact he seems to have these elite athletic traits but still doesn't win heaps of the ball which is the red flag next to him

[Adam The God 30,209]

1 hour ago, adonski said:

He's very rough around the edges but there's a lot there, I'm coming round!!!

 

Super impressive. Cripps like.

Would be a nice complement to Jagga Smith. ;)

Edited November 8 by Adam The God

[adonski 12,036]

1 minute ago, Adam The God said:

Super impressive. Cripps like.

Would be a nice complement to Jagga Smith. ;)

Haha I thought the same re Jagga

[demoncat 1,413]

24 minutes ago, adonski said:

It's more the fact he seems to have these elite athletic traits but still doesn't win heaps of the ball which is the red flag next to him

Good point - although he did average around 20 possessions this year playing both half back and midfield, so there is some ball winning ability there

I guess you’d just hope that you’re drafting an athletic football player, not an athlete trying to play football (if that makes sense)