Australian Football

Despite preferring his skateboard to a football while he was growing up Matthew Allan developed in to a strong, dynamic ruckman whose best was as good as anyone's. Carlton recruited him from North Ringwood and, after a prolonged grounding in the seconds, during which time he was being groomed as Justin Madden's eventual replacement as first ruckman, he debuted with the firsts in 1994. Three years later Madden had departed and Allan shouldered the enhanced responsibility with great aplomb. When Carlton reached the premiership decider in 1999 Allan was a significant driving force and he duly won the club's best and fairest award, earned AFL All Australian selection, and polled 20 votes to finish third in the Brownlow count. However, he was unable to prevent the Blues succumbing to the Kangaroos when it mattered most.

Injuries undermined Allan's impact over the ensuing three campaigns and he ended up being traded to Essendon. Ironically, his the first of his two seasons with the Bombers was injury free and he recaptured some of his best form. The injury problems resurfaced in 2005 and at the end of the season he took the decision to retire.

Author - John Devaney