Brisbane Lions lose star recruit Oscar Allen for three months with foot fracture

Key facts

• Oscar Allen suffered a foot fracture in the Lions' round-seven win over Adelaide Crows.
• Allen will miss 12 to 14 weeks after surgery on his right foot.
• The 27-year-old had kicked 12 goals in seven games for Brisbane this season.
• Allen joined the Lions in the off-season after five seasons at West Coast.
• Brisbane is fifth on the ladder with a 4-3 win-loss record.
• Cody Curtin, a 200cm debutant, will replace Allen against Essendon on Saturday.
• Brisbane has four other talls sidelined: Darcy Gardiner, Eric Hipwood, Jack Payne, and Jarrod Berry.

A promising start cut short

Oscar Allen's move to Brisbane, intended to bolster the Lions' forward line after their premiership triumph, has been dealt a severe blow. The 27-year-old, who had settled into his role with 12 goals in seven appearances, fractured his right foot late in the final quarter of the reigning premiers' round-seven victory over Adelaide. Scans confirmed the extent of the injury, and Allen is scheduled for surgery this week, sidelining him for 12 to 14 weeks. The injury compounds a history of physical setbacks for the former West Coast co-captain. He missed the entire 2022 season with a foot problem, and his final year at the Eagles was truncated by knee surgery, limiting him to 12 matches in 2025. Allen had also dealt with calf and Achilles tendon issues before opting for patella tendon surgery to address a chronic left knee problem.

Brisbane's injury crisis deepens

Allen's absence adds to a growing list of tall players unavailable for Brisbane. Key defender Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) is at least two to three weeks away from returning, while Eric Hipwood (knee) is not expected back for another six weeks. Jack Payne (knee) is unlikely to feature until later in the season, and midfielder Jarrod Berry (calf) is sidelined for two to three weeks. The Lions, currently fifth on the ladder with a 4-3 record, have relied on Allen's presence as a key marking target. His departure leaves a significant void in attack, forcing coach Chris Fagan to turn to untested options. The team's depth will be tested as they face a gruelling stretch of the season.

Debutant Cody Curtin steps up

In response to Allen's injury, Brisbane has called up 200cm debutant Cody Curtin for Saturday's clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium. Curtin, the younger brother of Adelaide's Daniel Curtin, was selected with the 43rd pick in last year's draft. Fagan revealed that Curtin would have debuted in Opening Round had he not suffered a chest injury in the final practice game against Gold Coast. "Cody would have debuted in Round Zero had he not got injured in the last practice game against the Gold Coast Suns," Fagan said. "He'd performed really well over the pre-season and practice games. We're really bullish about him. He's a competitor, big body, halves contests and puts pressure on. We think he'll help our forward line." Fagan tempered expectations, adding: "We don't expect the world from him, but as long as he makes a contest and plays to his strengths, he'll help our team."

Veteran Dayne Zorko nears return

Amid the injury woes, Brisbane may welcome back veteran Dayne Zorko for the Essendon game. Zorko has been sidelined with a calf injury but is a chance to face the Bombers at Docklands on Saturday. His experience and leadership could provide a boost to a forward line missing its primary target. Defender Noah Answerth is also working through concussion protocols, though his availability remains uncertain. The Lions will need to manage their list carefully as they navigate a period without several key contributors.

Allen's impact and the road ahead

Allen's contribution to Brisbane's early season had been significant. In seven matches, he averaged nearly two goals per game, providing a reliable target inside 50. His ability to compete in the air and bring teammates into play had helped the Lions adapt after losing key forwards from their premiership campaign. Fagan expressed sympathy for Allen, acknowledging the difficulty of the setback. "It's disappointing for him," he said. "When you're a new player at a club, it takes you a while to settle in and I felt like he's just starting to do that and then this comes along. That's part of football and part of the challenge." The Lions now face a critical period, with their depth and resilience under scrutiny as they aim to maintain their position in the top eight.

What next for Brisbane?

With Allen out until at least mid-season, Brisbane's forward structure will rely on Curtin's development and the eventual returns of Hipwood and Gardiner. The club's ability to stay competitive in the interim will depend on its midfield and defensive units stepping up. The clash against Essendon offers an immediate test of the Lions' adaptability. Longer term, Allen's injury raises questions about the club's recruitment strategy and injury management. Having invested in a player with a history of foot and knee problems, Brisbane must now navigate a season without one of its key off-season acquisitions. The next three months will reveal whether the Lions have the depth to defend their title.

The bottom line

• Oscar Allen will miss 12–14 weeks after fracturing his right foot in Brisbane's round-seven win over Adelaide.
• Allen had kicked 12 goals in seven games since joining from West Coast, where he also missed the 2022 season with a foot injury.
• Brisbane has four other talls sidelined: Darcy Gardiner, Eric Hipwood, Jack Payne, and Jarrod Berry.
• Cody Curtin, a 200cm debutant, will replace Allen against Essendon on Saturday; he was originally set to debut in Round Zero before a chest injury.
• Veteran Dayne Zorko (calf) is a chance to return for the Essendon game, providing experience to a depleted forward line.
• The Lions, fifth on the ladder with a 4-3 record, face a critical test of depth as they aim to remain in premiership contention.