Eagles deny claims that Pyke asked Allen to stand down

SEN WA's Tim Gossage says the West Coast Board did not ask Oscar Allen to stand down as captain.

It was reported on SEN's Sportsday WA on Monday evening that Eagles CEO Don Pyke wanted Allen to step down after the skipper's meeting with Hawthorn became public.

But Gossage has denied those claims.

The Eagles have made it vehemently clear that while Pyke did meet with Allen to discuss the situation, there was never any mention of stripping his captaincy.

Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris is, however, reporting that Allen is feeling ‘unloved’ by those in charge of the Eagles.

While the Hawks are clearly in the race for his signature following the meeting, Morris believes that the Brisbane Lions still lead the race to land the 26-year-old this off-season, if he does depart the Eagles.

“Oscar Allen feels like West Coast doesn’t want him. Allen is feeling unloved,” Morris told SEN Breakfast.

“I’m convinced the Lions are ahead in this race, they first made contact last October and have been red-hot on him the whole way through.

“They have a great history of rehabilitating players (who have injury histories) and they have a hole to fill.

“Hawthorn is very interested but maybe not to the level of Brisbane.

“Allen, if he goes, wants to go to a club in premiership contention.”

The 0-4 Eagles next face the 0-4 Blues in a big Gather Round clash at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.