ONLY diehard West Coast supporters are likely to know much about Matthew Allen, but the versatile tall will hope that changes in 2019 after signing on for a fourth season.
AFL.com.au understands the Eagles have kept the faith with the yet-to-debut 193cm and 96kg South Australian, who wasn't one of the club's six confirmed delistings on Monday.
Entering next season, Allen will be one of only two 2015 NAB AFL Draft survivors who hasn't pulled on their team's jumper at the elite level.
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The other is Greater Western Sydney's developing 200cm academy product Matthew Flynn – although Adelaide's still-unsigned Paul Hunter is in the same boat from the 2015 rookie draft.
Flynn looms as a beneficiary from the Giants' ruck shortage since Rory Lobb's trade to Fremantle, however Allen could have his work cut out breaking into West Coast's line-up fresh off a premiership.
But the untried 21-year-old has shown promise at WAFL level after overcoming the hamstring and foot problems which stalled his progress last season.
The last of four Eagles taken in the 2015 draft at pick No.62 overall, Allen has primarily been groomed as a forward target.
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However, after battling up-and-coming youngsters Oscar Allen, Jarrod Brander and Jake Waterman for a spot in attack, he put his freakish running ability to good use following an engine room switch late this season.
Allen averaged 16.5 disposals in 17 WAFL matches and found plenty of the ball in the last month of the home and away season, picking up 26, 13, 23 and 24 possessions.
The long-kicking left-footer also snared 17 goals – including a career-best five against Fremantle-aligned Peel Thunder in round five – and tied for the Royals' best and fairest with axed West Coast midfielder Luke Partington and ex-Eagles onballer Patrick McGinnity.
Allen's re-signing means the Eagles have only cleared four primary list spots ahead of next month's draft, following Mark LeCras and Eric Mackenzie's retirements, plus Malcolm Karpany and Partington's delistings.
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West Coast is set to use picks 20 and 22 after falling short in a bid for Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly on a dramatic Trade Period deadline day.
As it stands, the Eagles don't have another selection until No.61 overall – the first of their three fourth-round picks.
West Coast cleared room on its rookie list on Monday after Tony Olango, Ryan Burrows and Callan England weren't offered new deals.
