REJUVENATED Lion Allen Christensen says footy is fun again and he won't be taking his place in Brisbane's senior team for granted.
Christensen spent two months in the NEAFL after being dropped earlier in the season, before returning with a bang against St Kilda to play arguably his best game in Brisbane colours.
His numbers were impressive – 18 disposals, six tackles and two goals – but the 28-year-old's defensive intent and ferocity around the contest was something few at the club had seen before.
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Allen Christensen celebrates a goal against the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos
"The thing now is every game counts for me," Christensen told AFL.com.au.
"The first half of my career - the first six, seven, eight years - I was playing every week and didn't have to worry about things.
"If I played a bad one I knew I'd get a chance the next week to back up, but we're in such a better position as a team.
"I'm really excited to be out there now."
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Christensen played in Brisbane's round four and five hammerings at the hands of Essendon and Collingwood and was subsequently dropped.
Prior to that fortnight his grandmother had died, and although not using it as an excuse for his form, the Geelong premiership player said it was a difficult time.
He said being dropped to the NEAFL was initially difficult to process – "no one on an AFL list wants to be playing reserves" – but he took it as a challenge to improve.
Known for his versatility, Christensen spoke with coach Chris Fagan and football manager David Noble and said he wanted to return to the half-forward role and occasionally pinch-hit in the midfield.
The results followed.
"Footy for players sometimes can become a job that ticks over and over," Christensen said.
"People from the outside might say 'What? You're playing sport for a living', but it can get pretty full-on sometimes.
"That last eight weeks I've enjoyed coming back in here and I've loved being around the boys.
"It's been awesome, and I think it's shown in the way I played in the NEAFL and on the weekend that it's become fun again.
"I'm doing things I was doing when I was 16 or 17 and coming through the ranks, it's been exciting."
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But with just two players on the club's injury list and an undefeated NEAFL team, the pressure on spots is high.
"That pressure will keep driving me to play better," Christensen said.
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"There's so many guys that can come back in.
"It is just fun being out there and I won't take it for granted like maybe what I was doing three or four years ago when I was playing every week.
"I'm excited for this coming week and the rest of the year."
