“You might feel a bit sheepish”: Lloyd’s response to Eagles captain’s alleged meeting with Hawks coach

Matthew Lloyd has voiced his concerns, stating it “doesn’t reflect well” on Oscar Allen following reports that Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was in Perth and met with the West Coast captain after the team’s derby defeat to Fremantle.

With the Hawks enjoying a bye round, Mitchell seized the chance to connect with the out-of-contract Eagles leader—a strategy that proved successful last year when he lured defender Tom Barrass from West Coast.

However, this meeting might hold more significance than initially thought, as there are reports that Harley Reid’s management was also in Perth at the same time as Mitchell.

Reid, the former number one draft pick, is out of contract at the season’s end and has been speculated to be considering a return to Victoria.

On Monday night, Sam McClure discussed the evolving situation.

“I just got off the phone with someone in Perth who mentioned that Sam Mitchell and his wife Linda happened to be in Perth on holiday… and coincidentally might be meeting with an out-of-contract player (Allen),” McClure said during Nine’s Footy Classified.

“Whether you choose to believe that or not.”

Lloyd argued that Allen has significant work to do in refining his game amid a series of lengthy injury spells.

“I’m a big fan of Oscar Allen, but the pace at which he’s playing is concerning. Regardless of which club he’s at, he needs to assess his speed and agility. His numerous injuries could be playing a part,” Lloyd commented.

Lloyd stressed that as captain, Allen has a duty to the Eagles and should refrain from meeting rivals—especially in the wake of a derby loss.

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“I wouldn’t do that. I’d be saying ‘speak to my management, but I can’t be meeting with you; I’ve scarcely handled the footy, I just lead us to a loss in a derby, and I’m the captain’,” Lloyd remarked.

“If the story holds any truth, it’s not an ideal situation and returning to the club the next day as the captain would be awkward.”

Since being drafted at the 2017 National Draft, Allen has played 96 games for the Eagles and was appointed co-captain at the beginning of the 2024 season, alongside Liam Duggan.

The news of the 26-year-old possibly leaving Perth isn’t entirely new, as Brisbane and Collingwood have been among the teams previously linked with him.