By George Cooke

It is often said that 50% of marriages end in divorce, with 25% of those linked to extramarital affairs. While this statistic typically applies to personal relationships, West Coast Eagles fans might argue that they’ve found themselves in a similar situation over the past week.

Over the weekend, West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen was photographed meeting with Hawthorn head coach Sam Mitchell, sparking a frenzy among Eagles supporters and the sports media. Speculation ran wild about what this could mean for the future of Allen, the Eagles, and the Hawks. However, the mystery was put to rest today when Allen addressed the situation in an emergency press conference at Mineral Resources Park.

It’s worth noting that the 2025 season is particularly significant for Allen, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the year. While there are generally no strict rules against players meeting with rival coaches, doing so early in the season is often perceived as unprofessional and potentially disruptive to team morale.

Allen was quick to address the controversy, expressing his regret over the situation. He admitted feeling “embarrassed and ashamed” and assured the club’s football department that any future discussions of this nature would go through his management. Despite the backlash, Allen reaffirmed his commitment to the Eagles, confirming that he will continue as co-captain alongside Liam Duggan for the remainder of the season. He emphasized his dedication to the team’s success, stating that his priority is achieving greatness with his teammates and even hinting that his time at the Eagles could extend beyond 2025.